London

• Location

  South-east England on the River Thames
• National Importance

  • It is the largest and wealthiest city in the UK and home to over 10% of the UK population
  • It is the UK's centre for government, finance and business
• International Importance

  • It is an international centre for media, education and culture
  • It is a leading global financial centre and home to the London Stock Exchange
• London's population is over 8.5 million, making it the largest city in the UK
• Reasons for London's population growth

  • National Migration: People move to London from within the UK to study or seek employment
  • International Migration: People move to London from abroad to study or work. One-third of London's population was born abroad
  • Natural Increase: Most immigrants are aged between 20 and 30. This young population means that birth rates are higher than death rates
• Social and Economic Opportunities

  • Cultural Mix: London is the most ethnically diverse city in the UK. With a wide range of international communities (e.g. Chinatown), it offers a mix of cultures, cuisines and entertainment
  • Recreation and Entertainment: London has a huge variety of sports and music venues. Historically, areas that once attracted few visitors, such as Shoreditch, are now thriving hubs of galleries, cafés and bars
  • Employment: London has always had more job opportunities than the rest of the UK, especially in the service sector. Factories on the outskirts of the city also offer employment opportunities
  • Transport: London has an integrated network of Tube lines, trains, and buses. Commuters can use all modes of transport under one system
• Environmental Opportunities

  • Urban Greening: Despite being a bustling city, London has a wealth of green spaces (e.g. Hampstead Heath). The Greener City Fund is a £9 million fund that aims to make 50% of London green by 2050 by improving green spaces and planting trees
• Social and Economic Challenges

  • Urban Deprivation: More than a quarter of London's population lives below the poverty line. In inner city London, declining industry and poor housing conditions have led to significant deprivation
  • Inequalities in Housing: House prices in London are rising faster than anywhere else in the UK, pricing many people out of the housing market. Affordable housing that is available is often in poor condition. For example, 60% of children in Camden live in low-income households with poor housing
  • Inequalities in Education and Employment: Students living in poorer areas often leave school with few qualifications. This leads to high levels of unemployment and low wages
  • Inequalities in Health: People in deprived areas are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles and low life expectancies. Women in Kensington can expect to live to 86, whereas those in the less wealthy borough of Dagenham have an average life expectancy of 82
• Environmental Challenges

  • Dereliction and Brownfield Sites: Industrial decline forced inner-city factories and buildings to close, leaving large areas polluted and derelict. Building on these brownfield sites is better for the environment than building on greenfield sites, but it is often costly to clear and decontaminate the land
  • Waste Disposal: Around 25% of London's waste goes to landfill, and air pollution is high due to traffic congestion. Plans are in place to try and make London a zero-carbon city by 2050
• Urban sprawl


  The growth of urban areas into surrounding rural areas. As the population grows, the demand for housing increases, causing the city to expand and 'sprawl' out
• The rate of housebuilding in London has tripled since 2013. Much of this has been along the rural-urban fringe, encroaching into rural areas, destroying natural habitats and harming the environment
• Commuter settlements


  Areas in the rural-urban fringe where people live, but work elsewhere. Near London, this has caused house prices to rocket and worsened traffic congestion