Lecture Notes: Contemporary Urban Environments - Counter-Urbanisation

Introduction to Counter-Urbanisation

• Definition: Migration of people from major urban areas to smaller urban settlements and rural areas.
• Reasons for Counter-Urbanisation:
  • Negative experiences with city life.
  • Car ownership and affluence enabling commutes from rural areas.

Social and Economic Changes due to Counter-Urbanisation

• Social Changes:
  • Demand for second homes increases.
  • Early retirement to rural areas.
  • Outmigration of young adults seeking education and jobs.
  • Influx of young, middle-aged families and older residents.
  • Potential tension between newcomers and locals.
  • Closure of local services due to newcomers' reliance on urban amenities.
• Economic Changes:
  • Decline in urban population can lead to deterioration of urban environments.
  • "Donut effect": decline of inner urban areas.
  • Potential economic decline with loss of schools, healthcare.
  • Positive impacts include reduced housing pressure, congestion.
  • Changes in cultural/ethnic diversity.
• Impact on Housing and Land:
  • Increase in land values and house prices.
  • Potential inability of locals to compete for housing.

Evaluating the Extent of Change

• Social Change:
  • Rate of expansion and development affects social change.
  • Changes in age structures and income groups.
  • Greater diversity can be beneficial.
• Economic Change:
  • Dependence on local services support and employment patterns.
  • Technology improvements (e.g., internet) allow work from rural areas.
  • New residents may have higher disposable incomes.
  • Economic benefits include opportunities for companies to locate in suburban areas.
  • Increased commuting may lead to economic impacts due to congestion.

Writing Tips for Exam Questions

• PEEL Structure:
  • Point: Make a point and explain it.
  • Evidence: Provide evidence, using case studies where appropriate.
  • Explain: Link back to the question.
• Argument Structure:
  • Present both sides of the argument.
  • Use a variety of relevant terms.
  • Conclude with broad geographical insights, possibly predicting future changes.

Marking Scheme for 9-Mark Question

• Level 3 (7-9 marks):
  • Detailed knowledge and understanding.
  • Strong evaluation with evidence.
• Level 2 (4-6 marks):
  • Clear knowledge but minor inaccuracies.
  • Clear evaluation with some evidence.
• Level 1 (1-3 marks):
  • Basic knowledge with inaccuracies.
  • Limited evaluation and evidence.

Notes for Answers

• Links between urbanisation patterns and social/economic issues.
• Consideration of technological advancements and their influence on urban demographics.