Counter urbanisation

• What is counter urbanisation? 


  The movement of people from large urban areas to smaller towns or rural areas. It is the reverse flow to urbanisation. The difference between rural and urban areas is reduced as a result of counter urbanisation
• What are the causes of counter urbanisation?

  • Aging population don’t want to live in cities
  • People moving away from cities are driven by the desire to have a better quality of life by perceived cleaner and quieter area without the issue of crime
  • Motorways and connected railway services make commuting easier
• What are the benefits for employers and employees of people working from home ?

  • Not having any travel costs
  • Better quality of life due to quieter space
  • Benefit of small office space and less equipment needed
  • Improvement in technology has led to this
  • More work flexibility
• What are the push factors from a city into smaller towns ?

  1. Many people move out of urban areas to escape the air and noise pollution of towns and cities
  2. Suburbs and city centres have problems with congestion and parking
  3. House prices in the suburbs are increasing this means that people need to move even further out
• What are the pull factors from a city to smaller towns ?

  1. Improved transport means that travel is easier and quicker
  2. Improved communication links make it easier for people to work from home
  3. Houses in smaller settlements are less densely packed, they are often bigger and have more green space
  4. Better quality of life due to the space being quieter and having more open space
  5. Improved online service, such as online banking and online shopping means that less people need to routinely visit big cities.
• What evidence might show that counter urbanisation has happened in an area ?

  • An increase in the use of commuter railway stations in the area, including car parking and parking expansions
  • The construction of more consecutive housing in the area
  • Conversions of former farm buildings into exclusive residences
  • No parking spaces at places
• What are some positive effects of counter-urbanisation?

  • Supports some local facilities
  • Some shops see an increase in business
  • Older housing and buildings are restored
  • New residents=facilities are able to stay open (schools)
  • More restaurants/ gastro pubs
  • More local taxes paid to rural councils
  • Improvement in services because of taxes (gas mains, cable tv, local schools)
• What are some negative effects of counter urbanisation?

  • New developments may affect the local character/charm
  • Traditional rural services may close as the new population are more reliant on urban services
  • Rural roads and infrastructure may struggle to cope
  • Air pollution
  • Traffic congestion
  • Increased carbon emissions for commuters
  • House prices will increase
  • Loss of tax revenue
• How can the issues of counter urbanisation be managed ?

  1. Sometimes the developments are only allowed if they fit the correct criteria for the area which limits any buildings not built in a ‘traditional’ style
  2. some companies will offer mobile services (NatWest mobile banking)
  3. Local occupancy clause in national parks - people need to have lived in the area for at least 3 years to be allowed to buy .