AQA GCSE Geography · 3.2.1

UK cities and urban sustainability

Revision questions with answers for 3.2.1 UK cities and urban sustainability in AQA GCSE Geography (spec 8035). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below.

All questions and answers

Question 1 · Spec 3.2.1
How is the UK population distributed?
Answer:
About 67 million people, around 83% urban. Population is densest in south-east England, the Midlands, the north-west and central Scotland, and sparse in upland areas such as the Highlands and mid-Wales.
Question 2 · Spec 3.2.1
Name the major cities of the UK.
Answer:
London is the largest, followed by Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
Question 3 · Spec 3.2.1
Why is the UK's population concentrated in certain areas?
Answer:
Flat lowlands, ports and rivers, historic coalfields and industry, and jobs and services in the south-east attract people, whereas uplands are steep, cold and remote.
Question 4 · Spec 3.2.1
How does the UK urban pattern differ between regions?
Answer:
South-east England is dominated by London and its commuter belt, while the north has several cities that grew in the industrial era and have lost some population.
Question 5 · Spec 3.2.1
London: where is it?
Answer:
On the River Thames in south-east England. Greater London has around 9 million people, about one in eight UK residents, and is the capital of the UK.
Question 6 · Spec 3.2.1
What is London's importance in the UK?
Answer:
It is the capital and seat of government, produces roughly a fifth of UK economic output, is the main hub for rail, road and air transport and a magnet for jobs.
Question 7 · Spec 3.2.1
What is London's importance in the wider world?
Answer:
A leading global financial centre, home to many headquarters of multinational companies, with Heathrow among the world's busiest airports and a major centre of culture, media and education.
Question 8 · Spec 3.2.1
How is London linked internationally?
Answer:
Through trade and finance, air travel, migration, universities, the Commonwealth and cultural exports like theatre, music and sport.
Question 9 · Spec 3.2.1
How does national migration affect London?
Answer:
Young adults from across the UK move to London for universities and jobs, adding to the population, but some move out to commuter towns when they have families.
Question 10 · Spec 3.2.1
How has international migration affected London?
Answer:
Waves of migrants arrived, such as people from the Caribbean (Windrush generation), South Asia, Ireland, Poland and elsewhere, so about 40% of Londoners were born abroad.
Question 11 · Spec 3.2.1
How has migration changed the character of London?
Answer:
It has created a multicultural city with hundreds of languages, diverse food, festivals such as the Notting Hill Carnival, and areas such as Brick Lane and Chinatown.
Question 12 · Spec 3.2.1
What social and economic opportunities does cultural mix bring London?
Answer:
A diverse workforce, global links and skills, vibrant food, arts and festivals, and a large tourism market.
Question 13 · Spec 3.2.1
What recreation and entertainment opportunities does London offer?
Answer:
Theatres, museums (many free), sport, music venues, restaurants and parks, which attract residents and about 20 million visitors a year and create jobs.
Question 14 · Spec 3.2.1
What employment opportunities exist in London?
Answer:
Finance and business services, creative industries, technology, tourism and public sector jobs, with higher average wages than most of the UK.
Question 15 · Spec 3.2.1
How is London's transport integrated?
Answer:
Tube, Overground, Docklands Light Railway, trams, buses and National Rail are linked by Oyster and contactless payment and a shared map and timetable system.
Question 16 · Spec 3.2.1
What is the Elizabeth line?
Answer:
A railway across London opened in 2022 (Crossrail) that links Heathrow, central London and the east with fast, high-capacity trains, cutting journey times and easing crowding.
Question 17 · Spec 3.2.1
How has London used urban greening?
Answer:
Royal Parks, the Green Belt, new parks such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, street trees, green roofs and riverside walks improve air quality and wellbeing.
Question 18 · Spec 3.2.1
How do green roofs and urban trees help?
Answer:
They absorb rainwater, cool the city, cut air pollution, store carbon and provide habitats for wildlife.
Question 19 · Spec 3.2.1
How has London tried to improve air quality?
Answer:
The Ultra Low Emission Zone charges the most polluting vehicles, and cycle lanes, electric buses and low-traffic areas cut emissions.
Question 20 · Spec 3.2.1
What is urban deprivation?
Answer:
A situation where people in parts of a city suffer multiple disadvantages: low incomes, poor housing, poor health, low educational attainment and high unemployment.
Question 21 · Spec 3.2.1
How is housing unequal in London?
Answer:
House prices and rents are among the highest in the UK, so many people face overcrowding, homelessness or long commutes, while wealthier areas have large homes and gardens.
Question 22 · Spec 3.2.1
How is education unequal in London?
Answer:
Attainment varies between boroughs and schools, linked to income, language and housing. Children from deprived backgrounds are more likely to do worse.
Question 23 · Spec 3.2.1
How is health unequal in London?
Answer:
Life expectancy and health vary widely between boroughs because of differences in income, housing, pollution and access to services.
Question 24 · Spec 3.2.1
How is employment unequal in London?
Answer:
Some residents work in highly paid jobs while others have low-paid, insecure work or unemployment, with a gap between richer and poorer boroughs.
Question 25 · Spec 3.2.1
What is urban dereliction?
Answer:
Areas of abandoned or disused land and buildings, such as old factories, docks and warehouses, which look neglected and attract crime.
Question 26 · Spec 3.2.1
What are the advantages and problems of building on brownfield sites?
Answer:
Brownfield land has been built on before so it reuses land and protects the countryside, but sites may be contaminated and expensive to clean up.
Question 27 · Spec 3.2.1
What are the advantages and problems of building on greenfield sites?
Answer:
Greenfield land is cheaper and easier to build on, but it destroys countryside and habitats and encourages urban sprawl.
Question 28 · Spec 3.2.1
What challenges does waste disposal create in London?
Answer:
London produces millions of tonnes of waste each year. Landfill sites are filling up, transporting waste costs money and recycling rates need to rise.
Question 29 · Spec 3.2.1
What is urban sprawl?
Answer:
The outward spread of a city into surrounding countryside, creating suburbs and new housing estates on the rural-urban fringe.
Question 30 · Spec 3.2.1
What is the impact of urban sprawl on the rural-urban fringe?
Answer:
Farmland and green space are lost, wildlife habitats are fragmented, traffic increases and villages merge into the built-up area.
Question 31 · Spec 3.2.1
What are commuter settlements?
Answer:
Towns and villages around a city where many residents live but travel into the city to work, e.g. places in Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire around London.
Question 32 · Spec 3.2.1
What is the effect of commuter settlements?
Answer:
They bring wealth but cause traffic, overcrowded trains, rising house prices that locals cannot afford and pressure on services.
Question 33 · Spec 3.2.1
What is the purpose of the Green Belt?
Answer:
A ring of protected land round a city that stops urban sprawl, protects countryside and gives green space for recreation.
Question 34 · Spec 3.2.1
What is urban regeneration?
Answer:
Investment to improve a rundown urban area by renewing buildings, infrastructure, jobs and services so that it becomes a better place to live and work.
Question 35 · Spec 3.2.1
Why did the Lower Lea Valley in Stratford need regeneration?
Answer:
It was one of London's most deprived areas with derelict industrial land, polluted soil and rivers, high unemployment, poor housing and few services.
Question 36 · Spec 3.2.1
What are the main features of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park project?
Answer:
Built for the 2012 Olympics on about 2.5 square kilometres of cleaned brownfield land, it has the London Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Velodrome, wetlands, parkland, and new homes.
Question 37 · Spec 3.2.1
What was the Athletes' Village turned into?
Answer:
East Village, with nearly 3,000 homes, around half of them affordable, plus shops, schools and green spaces.
Question 38 · Spec 3.2.1
How did the Stratford regeneration improve transport?
Answer:
Stratford station was upgraded with the Jubilee line, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line and high-speed trains, connecting the area to central London and Europe.
Question 39 · Spec 3.2.1
What are the benefits of the Olympic Park regeneration?
Answer:
New jobs and homes, facilities for sport and recreation, cleaner land and rivers, new shops at Westfield, and better transport and image for East London.
Question 40 · Spec 3.2.1
What are the criticisms of the Olympic Park regeneration?
Answer:
Some local people said housing was too expensive, rents rose, businesses were displaced, and benefits did not reach the poorest.
Question 41 · Spec 3.2.1
What is urban sustainability?
Answer:
Meeting the needs of city dwellers without harming future generations, by managing resources, reducing waste and pollution and providing green space and transport.
Question 42 · Spec 3.2.1
How does water conservation make cities more sustainable?
Answer:
Water meters, low-flush toilets, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling cut demand and reduce the amount of water treated and pumped.
Question 43 · Spec 3.2.1
How does energy conservation make cities more sustainable?
Answer:
Insulation, double glazing, solar panels, efficient appliances and district heating cut energy use and carbon emissions.
Question 44 · Spec 3.2.1
How does waste recycling make cities more sustainable?
Answer:
Separate collection of paper, glass, plastic and food waste, composting and reuse reduce landfill and save raw materials and energy.
Question 45 · Spec 3.2.1
How does creating green space make cities more sustainable?
Answer:
Parks, street trees, green roofs and allotments reduce flooding and heat, absorb pollution, support wildlife and improve health.
Question 46 · Spec 3.2.1
What is BedZED?
Answer:
A housing development in Sutton, London, built in 2002 with wind-driven ventilation, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, recycled materials and a car club to reduce its environmental footprint.
Question 47 · Spec 3.2.1
How can urban transport strategies reduce traffic congestion?
Answer:
Better public transport, bus and cycle lanes, park and ride, congestion charging, pedestrianised areas and traffic management systems.
Question 48 · Spec 3.2.1
How does London's congestion charge reduce traffic?
Answer:
Drivers pay a daily charge to enter central London, which discourages car use and raises money for public transport. Traffic fell after it began in 2003.
Question 49 · Spec 3.2.1
What are park and ride schemes?
Answer:
Drivers park on the edge of a city and take a bus or tram into the centre, reducing the number of cars in congested areas.
Question 50 · Spec 3.2.1
Evaluate London as a place to live.
Answer:
It offers jobs, culture and good transport, but high housing costs, pollution, congestion and inequality mean opportunities are not shared equally.

← 3.2.1 Urbanisation and cities in LICs and NEEs 3.2.2 Global development →

UK cities and urban sustainability

All questions and answers

More AQA GCSE Geography topics

Cookies on Knowledge Noodles

Cookie settings