This is a summary of the entire AS Level Core Human Geogeaphy year that got me an 8 at A level. It contains statistics and case studies while leaving space for geographical drawings to facilitate revision. it contains 1. Population 2. Migration 3. Settlement Dynamics
Urban - a densely populate area, with large amount of infrastructure + lack of green space.
Rural- A sparsely populated area, with a small amount of infrastructure + large amounts of green space.
Characteristics of an Urban area… Characteristics of a Rural area…
Highly populated – Both Less populated - Both
Dense population of buildings – both Sparse building layout - Both
Taller buildings in situ – Both Less roads - Both
Where businesses locate/ office buildings. – Both Lower building height - Both
Large amount of transport routes – Both (better quality in Low order shops eg. grocery – both
HIC)
More greenspace for farming – Both
High order shops eg. jewellery, shops - HIC
Detached housing – Both
Industrial revolution +
Rural Change in HICs
mechanisation
Less availability of living resources - LIC
there has been a rapid rural change over the last 50 years in the UK.
Growth
In the growth phase of rural settlements, critical factors are: site (the land the settlement is built on); and
situation (where the settlement is located in relation to the surroundings).
Decline
The decline of rural settlements in HIC’s has taken place at different times. Rural-urban migration and
urbanisation took place earlier than in LIC’s, first as the result of the Industrial Revolution.
What has caused the Rural areas to decline?
, - Mechanisation
- Urbanisation
- Rural – urban migration
- Quality of life
- In search for Jobs
Redevelopment
Since the 1970s we have had a redevelopment of many rural areas. This is because of the reverse role of
counter urbanisation. (Movement from an urban are to a rural area)
Faster and more accessible transport routes into and out of urban areas, lead to increase in
transportation commuter villages. Also, people can live in a rural area yet access the urban area and its facilities
easily.
Technology has allowed people to work from home and therefore not live in the cities. It has also
Technology increased the development of rural areas so that they are not so primitive and less developed
making It easier to live and work in. (developed technology + transport)
The location of a rural area is more aesthetically pleasing and often where young families like to
location bring up their children. More free land for new developments. Location near transport links.
Located near urban areas.
More people moving to rural areas brings in more money which can be invested in further
economy development of that rural area. Often housing in rural areas is cheaper meaning that a house can
be bought for less money which saves money + more disposable income.
In an HIC the infrastructure is regularly repaired and is of a high standard meaning that people can
Infrastructure easily move around the settlement and hold a high quality of life. Good transport links, education,
health services etc...
Why do you think this been possible?
People Who Counter Urbanise.
- Large Family larger house for less money + nice environment to bring up children. Older generation less
pollution, calmer and more beautiful, less congested, safer.
- Small family possibly movement out of city to suburbs or commuter village to allow main income earner
to commute to CBD and work.
- Dinkys don’t want to counter urbanise due to them having no kids and both working and living in the city
to generate money for their future.
- Young adults (university students) not want to counter urbanise as they will need to live near the
university and city centre to access its
public transport to then attend and use the
facilities of the university.
,Major changes in HIC’s over time
- Gentrification of rural population Countryside has been repopulated by middle-class, who took
advantage of cheaper housing prices. Have strong influence on the rural areas eg. Types of services
available.
- Economy no longer dominated by agriculture
- Farm diversification create activities on their land to gain additional income eg. Tourism…
- Reversal of rural depopulation rural population due to counter urbanisation
- Population = more money being brought into the local community
- Large increase in congestion travel times + pollution.
- Decline of public transport due to use of cars
- Decline in services this self-sufficient rural area gets put under pressure to supply a larger
population with resources.
- Mechanisation jobs in agriculture
- Holiday homes not used from most of the year = wastes resources + space + fractures
community.
- Local shops and businesses fall through as larger businesses situate themselves in areas with
growing populations.
- New developments to house the increasing pop. = Greenfield sites are built on.
Isle of Purbeck – Growth in population + Decline of services (Rural area)
Dorset, England
Neighbouring to Bournemouth and Poole
Remote rural area.
- Purbeck has changed over time due to the conurbation of
Bournemouth and Poole and Christchurch. Becoming
increasingly used as a commuter area due to its very
accessible and fast transport links to Bournemouth and Poole.
Land use:
- Largely agriculture
- Protected woodland by National trust
- Tourism Swanage + Corfe Castle
- Large amounts of housing to accommodate it’s growing use as a
commuter village for Bournemouth and Poole.
Demographics:
0-15 yrs = 16.2%. (& decreasing), 16-64 yrs - 56.2%, 65+ yrs 27.6%
(natural decrease) – ppl. going there to retire deaths than births.
, Some issues that have developed due to development and natural decrease
The decline of public transport
As Purbeck has been developing an important dormitory function the use of cars has increased and
as a result commuter congestion has increased massively. This has led to and shows the decline in
public transport used.
Many rural train lines cut eg. Wareham Swanage
Only 4 bus routes across the whole area
Rural service decline
In some areas, such as Swanage, a focal point for tourism, local services are put under strain to
support an everchanging and large proportion of citizens and tourists.
Decrease in amounts of chapels and town halls in villages
Decline caused by increased competition with urban supermarkets which undercut local food prices
+ provides a greater range of produce.
Increase in personal cars + transport has allowed people to shop weekly and in bulk rather than
daily.
4 villages with a population of over 500 don’t have a general store.
Limited schools + limited children to attend schools schools shut.
Rural deprivation
Local employment opportunities are limited
Low wages average weekly wage (person in Purbeck) = £449 which is nearly 6% below the national
figure. - Household deprivation – low income families cannot compete with prices
opportunity deprivation – lack of opportunity in health and social services
mobility deprivation – public transport limited low income families have to spend income on cars
service deprivation - Large decline in shops selling general produce eg. post offices, garages...
38 post office closures & 35 petrol station closures
housing deprivation - Competition has increased for limited properties has resulted in land and
house values increasing dramatically. Housing price has increased by 100% (doubled). Locals are
being pushed out by second home owners and with low wages an employment in Purbeck people
cannot compete for these houses. Large proportion of older generation (retiring). And ppl. are living
for a lot longer less houses available.
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