Urban issues and challenges

• What is a brownfield site?

  Land that was built on, been abandoned and now needs a clean up.
• How does a choropleth map represent population density?

  A darker colour indicates a larger population, while lighter colours show smaller populations.
• What does decentralisation refer to?

  The movement of shops, offices, and industry away from urban centres into suburbs.
• What is deindustrialisation?

  The decline in a country's traditional manufacturing industry.
• What does dereliction mean?


  Abandoned buildings and wasteland.
• What are economic opportunities?

  Chances for people to improve their standard of living through employment.
• What is the formal economy?

  The type of employment where people receive a regular wage and certain rights.
• What is a greenfield site?

  Land that has not been built on.
• What are inequalities in urban contexts?

  Differences between poverty and wealth, including access to services.
• What does integrated transport mean?

  Multiple transport systems are connected, making travel easier.
• What is a megacity?

  An urban area with a total population of ten million or more people.
• What is migration?

  When people move from one area to another, often from rural to urban areas.
• What does natural decrease refer to?

  When the death rate is higher than the birth rate, leading to a smaller population.
• What is natural increase?

  When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, leading to a larger population.
• What is pollution?

  The presence of chemicals, noise, or waste that harms health or the environment.
• What is the rural-urban fringe?

  The area between a built-up area and the countryside, with mixed land use.
• What does sanitation refer to?

  Measures designed to protect health, such as providing clean water and waste disposal.
• What is a slum?

  Areas of poor quality housing lacking basics like fresh water and sewers.
• What is social deprivation?

  The degree to which an area lacks certain services, such as decent housing.
• What are social opportunities?

  Chances for people to improve their quality of life through access to education and healthcare.
• What is sustainable urban living?

  • A city that lives cleanly with the environment
  • Allocates jobs fairly
  • Involves people in decision-making
  • Strong sense of community
  • Strives to use renewable public transport
• What is traffic congestion?

  The volume of traffic is too great for roads to cope, causing jams.
• What is urbanisation?

  Where an increasing percentage of a country’s population comes to live in towns and cities.
• What is urban greening?

  The process of increasing and preserving open space in urban areas.
• What is urban regeneration?

  • Revival of old parts of built-up areas
  • Installing modern facilities in old buildings (renewal)
  • Redeveloping entirely through demolition
• What is urban sprawl?

  The unplanned growth of urban areas into the surrounding countryside.
• What is waste recycling?

  Extracting and reusing useful substances found in waste.