Overview of the three key urban processes - suburbanisation, counter-urbanisation and re-urbanisation

1. Suburbanisation& Counter Urbanisation PROCESSES OF CHANGE IN URBAN AREAS PART ONE

2. Population Movements and Urban Areas

3. Key Themes Suburban growth is caused by the pull of the suburbs and the push of the city The process of suburbanisation is entering a new phase with offices and businesses now leaving the city for the suburbs Rapid urban growth creates social and environmental problems, including sprawl, pollution, congestion, and problems of water supply and waste disposal Planning responses to the problems of urban growth vary in terms of their attitude to the quality of urban life and the environment.

4. PROCESSES OF CHANGE IN URBAN AREAS 1. Suburbanisation – decentralisation of people, employment and services from the inner part of the city towards the margins of the built up area – the effects of suburbanisation are felt within the city and in the surrounding rural areas. - remember this has much to do with the improvements in public transport and increases in income (You need to be prepared to be able to talk through the causesandconsequences drawing on examples you have studied) 2. Counterurbanisation – this is change extending beyond the city area and marks the apparent reversal of the urbanisation process which is occurring in MEDCs – i.e. urban – rural migration is taking place.

5. SUBURBANISATION DEFINITION Suburbanisation is the outward growth of urban development which may engulf surrounding villages and urban areas

6. Growth and decline cities 75% of people in MEDC’s live in urban places However since 1970’s the trend has been to move out of cities into rural areas – this is caused COUNTERURBANISATION This pattern hides significant variations between cities Why are people moving out?

7. Suburbanisation in MEDCs has been occurring since the mid 20th century The main reasons for it are- Transport infrastructure improved – public and private (reliable bus service, electric trains, and cars) Increasing wealth Decentralisation of industry and other facilities in the suburbs Demand and availability of housing (often to replace outdated inner city) Availability of low-cost land allowed cheaper, but larger houses to be built

8. Suburbanisation in the modern era

9. Who moved? 1950 -1980 30% UK city based population moved out of central areas to urban fringe Wealthier middle-class inhabitants were able to commute to work (professional white collar, high skilled blue collar workers)

10. Why did they move? Perception of better lifestyle: clean & green less congestion sense of community (Village Hall, Church, Pub, School, Shop, Sports Club etc. Safe: Less crime & vandalism Economic change: Footloose industry – self employed entrepreneurs

11. How did they move? Transport evolution brought a new phase of suburban growth, each one adding a ring onto the existing city

12. Consequences of Suburbanisation Consequences were decentralisation of towns and cities Many estates were private houses, but there will still several council estates built to re-house people from the inner cities. The major consequence of Suburbanisation therefore was social segregation N.B. every suburbanised village is slightly different, but the same principles, causes and consequences applies East Keswick is an example of a large suburbanised village

14. Suburban Dream Families to own their own home with a garden Send their children to good schools Escape the dirt and crime of the city

15. Private Estates

16. Council Estates

17. INFILLING

18. Rural Urban Fringe – North Leeds

20. Result = urban sprawl

23. PROCESSES OF CHANGE IN URBAN AREAS PART TWO

24. Counter Urbanisation Definition: Counter Urbanisation is “The movement of people from an urban area into the surrounding rural area” A different process to Suburbanisation, but easy to confuse them if not careful (Suburbanisation is the movement from the centre of urban areas to the outskirts)

26. There are 2 distinct trends: A movement of employment to rural areas A movement of people to rural areas who then commute. Counter-urbanisation began in Britain in the 1960s in particular and by 1990 a net movement of 1,700 people were leaving for rural areas.

27. Causes of Counter Urbanisation Accessibility- railways, motorways etc.. Easier to get to work Mobility- more people now own cars Increased wealth- meaning houses and travel is more affordable Agriculture- less labour and land needed- land becomes available Because of previous point, many agricultural workers leave the area Green belts mean people need to go further out to get the place they are looking for Fashion- people’s desire to live here

29. Families with children (keen to avoid the possible disadvantages of city locations)What are the push / pull factors? Traffic congestion Pollution Fear of Crime (muggings, burglary and car theft) Rural dream (idea of the ‘rural idyll’ – pleasant surroundings, quiet etc.) Estate Agents, housing developers etc.. All encourage outward movement through new developments / building more houses and marketing these areas.

30. Consequences of Counter Urbanisation Negative Effects House prices increase – locals young people cannot afford to buy property in areas they grew up – loss of traditional buildings Middle class immigrants – social structure changes -local resentment caused Lack of appreciation of traditional customs of village life by newcomers – change in community spirit Dormitory villages lose vitality and community spirit (very quiet during the day) Increase in population Increased traffic flow & dependence on car – increase congestion & accidents Decline in local shops & services (N.B. issue of Post Office closures) replaced by(supermarket/filling station) Loss of agricultural land

31. Positive Effects Improvement in services – e.g. gas mains, cable TV, supports local schools Supports some local facilities (e.g. pub, builders etc.) – although others may close Primary schools might flourish (or close) – young population - increase nursery provision Housing fabric improved, new housing, bar conversions. Light industry may develop, B&B, small hotels, bistros

32. Model of a Suburbanised Village

36. To finish off : Your case study for the exam is the local example of East Kewsick However, the textbook example often quoted is Bicester in Oxon Read the material on Pages 202 & 203 Answer Questions 1, 2 & 3

37. Re-urbanisation PROCESSES OF CHANGE IN URBAN AREAS PART TWO

40. nearer shops

41. shorter commuting distance for those who actually work in the city (reduce travelling times / stress / tiredness)

44. Mark scheme Level 1: simple statements of effects which could apply to a wide range of suburbanisation. There is limited use of case study material and no overall assessment is given. (1-4 marks)

45. Level 2: Statements of effects that are sophisticated and/or linked to specific areas of study. Good use is made of exemplification to support the answer. Marks in the upper range should be awarded for clear references to suburbanisation within urban areas at different levels of economic development. Assessment is tentative and implicit. (5-8 marks)

46. Level 3: A fully developed answer, with good elaboration and clear detail of the effects of suburbanisation with the chosen urban areas. Statements of assessment are explicit. (9-10 marks) Note the key word is ‘assess’ therefore you must make some judgement of the effects of suburbanisation on the chosen areas referred to. You must refer to at least 2 different countries at different stages of economic development- good use of case study material is necessary. A wholly general or theoretical answer will have difficulty accessing the higher levels.