Urban climate

Outline the impact of urban form on local weather and climate.

Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are in the insert.

Figure 5a shows PM2.5 air pollution in selected European cities 2020–2021.

Figure 5b shows the five least and five most PM2.5 polluted cities in the European Union 2020–2021.

Figure 5c is a map of Europe.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5a and Figure 5b.

Figures 6a and 6b are in the insert.

Figure 6a shows a view of La Défense, situated 3 km west of the centre of Paris.

Figure 6b shows the central area of La Défense.

Using Figure 6a, Figure 6b and your own knowledge, to what extent do you agree that La Défense shows the characteristics of an edge city?

Evaluate the use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) as a strategy to manage water movement through urban catchments.

‘Urban regeneration in Britain since 1979 has evolved to feature more dimensions of sustainability.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Outline how the rise of the service economy has led to urban change.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows the GDP per capita and the percentage of total population living in urban areas in selected countries in 2016.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figures 6a and 6b are in the insert.

Figure 6a shows photochemical pollution over Mexico City in 2013.

Figure 6b shows a 2016 report about Mexico City’s pollution reduction policies.

Using Figure 6a, Figure 6b and your own knowledge, evaluate the success of pollution reduction policies in cities such as Mexico City.

‘The success of recycling schemes to reduce waste in urban areas depends on the economic characteristics and attitudes of the population.’

How far do you agree with this view?

Assess the relative importance of physical and human factors in creating patterns of economic inequality in contrasting urban areas you have studied.

Explain why thunderstorms are common in urban areas.

Figures 5a and 5b are in the insert.

Figure 5a shows information about a river restoration project on the River Alt in Knowsley, Merseyside which took place in 1996. The project aimed to improve water quality and increase biodiversity.

Figure 5b shows water quality and biodiversity in the River Alt between 1995 and 2006.

Analyse the changes brought about by river restoration shown in Figure 5a and Figure 5b.

With reference to one urban policy in Britain since 1979, evaluate its success in contributing to urban resurgence.

Assess the effects on the carbon cycle of incineration and landfill approaches to waste disposal in urban areas.

How far do you agree that new urban landscapes such as fortress developments, heritage quarters and edge cities have intensified issues associated with economic inequality and social segregation?

Outline how one urban pollution reduction policy has been implemented.

Figure 5 is in the insert.

Figure 5 shows the change in life expectancy along the number 83 bus route in Sheffield, a city in the UK. The index of multiple deprivation is also shown on the map.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is in the insert.

Figure 6 is an OS map extract of Plymouth, a city on the south west coast of England.

Using Figure 6 and your own knowledge, assess the importance of physical factors in affecting urban form.

Assess the role of technological processes leading to the growing number of global megacities.

To what extent do you agree that urban drainage presents more opportunities than challenges in developing more sustainable cities?

Select the correct pair of consequences that result from the development of edge cities.

A Gentrification of inner-city areas Social segregation

B Deindustrialisation
Increased photo-chemical pollution

C Loss of rural habitats
Gentrification of inner-city areas

D Social segregation
Loss of rural habitats

Choose the correct definition for urbanisation from the list below.

A The increasing number of people living in towns and cities

B The increasing proportion of the population living in towns and cities

C The movement of people from inner city areas into the suburbs

D An increase in the number of megacities in a given region

Which of the following describes the process of decentralisation?

A It is now cheaper to manufacture steel in China due to the nearby availability of raw materials and large low-cost supply of labour. This has resulted in the closure of steel plants such as Tata Steel in Redcar.

B In Notting Hill, individuals moved into large slum houses and began to redevelop them. House prices began to rise and landlords, realising they could make a quick profit, sold these houses to private property developers. There are also many boutiques and gastropubs in the area.

C Decline in manufacturing in the UK has led to the rise of the service economy in urban areas. This has occurred due to the increased technology demands of a consumer society. As a result more people work in quaternary-based ICT industries than manufacturing.

D In the UK, the government encouraged the relocation of government agencies and public bodies away from London. Examples include the DVLA relocating to Swansea and the BBC moving to Media City in Salford.

Which of the following is an accurate description of characteristics of the water cycle in an urban area?

A Increased infiltration, increased precipitation, increased baseflow

B Reduced throughflow, decreased surface runoff, reduced precipitation

C Decreased infiltration, increased surface runoff, reduced throughflow

D Decreased surface runoff, decreased infiltration, decreased baseflow

Figure 5a, on the insert, shows a map of Portland, a city in north-west USA. Figure 5b, on the insert, shows the urban heat island effect for Portland in June 2015.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 5a and Figure 5b.

Figures 6a and 6b are images of Vancouver, a city in western Canada. Figure 6c shows the ethnicity of Vancouver residents. Figure 6d shows employment in Vancouver by sector in 2015.

Using Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and your own knowledge, assess the extent to which you agree that Vancouver is an example of a post-modern western city.

Evaluate the relative importance of strategies used to develop sustainable cities in overcoming environmental problems for one urban area you have studied.

‘Britain’s urban regeneration policies since 1979 have failed to address problems of economic inequality and social segregation. The gap between the richest and the poorest urban residents has widened.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement?