Question 2 - Sample Answer
Q2 (a) Use Figures 2(a) and 2(b) to suggest why perceptions of rural life are powerful pull factors in counterurbanisation. (5 marks)
Many people perceive rural life to be much better than urban life for many reasons. Many people prefer to move to rural areas because it is often very aesthetically pleasing; people admire the ‘chocolate box’ rural lifestyle of sleepy towns in the midst of the fresh countryside, as shows in Figure 2(b). Another pull factor to the countryside is that there is less noise and atmospheric (air) pollution, the air is cleaner and people like the quietness of rural areas. Counterurbanisation is the movement of people out from urban areas into rural areas looking for a better quality of life. A pull factor to rural areas could also be decreased congestion – as you can see in the Figure 2(a) – only 6 cars appear to be moving on the road and Figure 2(b) there are no cars visible. The homes in rural areas may be larger and certainly have much more outdoor space as seen in Figure 2(b).
The Exam Board Mark Scheme wants a clear description of what you see in each photograph e.g. quaint cottages, lots of trees, few cars. This will get you 2 marks - for the final 3 marks you have to talk about the perception of the rural idyll and the 'chocolate box' dream.
How your marks are awarded
1 mark for each valid point, or a point can generate 2 marks if very well described. Max 2 marks for specific photo reference (1 point from each photo) and then up to 3 marks for at least two perceptions well stated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 (b) Describe recent changes in the rural-urban fringe. (10 marks)
The rural-urban fringe is an area that allows people to enjoy the benefits of both rural and urban environments, it is a zone of growth where the land use and population density can change rapidly.
The rural-urban fringe is an area with high competition for land use for developments such as factories on Greenfield sites, business and science parks and residential developments.
The rural-urban fringe is constantly changing as the urban area sprawl out into the countryside, this has led to legislation being made to control the growth. Green Belts have been created (after 1947 and the Town and Country Planning Act) around many urban fringes of large conurbations, a green belt is an area of land that encircles an area of city where it is hard to obtain planning permission for new development. Recently, the idea of Green Wedges have been introduced as a complete green belt around cities is difficult due to transportation links and other housing developments – perhaps villages that were there originally, making a wedge a more realistic measure of conserve the green spaces around our cities.
An example of the changes that take place in the rural-urban fringe could be the changes that occurred in the town of Solihull, just outside Birmingham over the last 50 years. 50 years ago, Solihull was a small, sleepy town with a few services and a small retail area. It was a high class area that many people could not afford to live in.
Now, 50 years on, Solihull has grown greatly. It has now joined up with Birmingham and is a popular entertaining area. The Touchwood Shopping Centre has attracted many customers from surrounding retail areas. There are also much more affordable housing for middle-class families. It has caused increased pressure on the rural-urban fringe, especially with the development of the motorway network to the south of the Birmingham conurbation (M42 and M40), where pressure on the green belt today does not just come from houses, but also expansion of the transport network (Birmingham Airport, the motorway network), business parks (Blythe Valley Business Park) and entertainment (The NEC). The Green Belt encircling Solihull is constantly under pressure from redevelopment of these greenfield sites.
The Exam Board Mark Scheme was to read about environmental changes - loss of green fields, communication changes - more motorways, economic changes, changes in the type and size of shops and socio-political changes - changes in the types of families/crime rates etc..
How your marks are awarded
Level 3 response: 8-10 marks
Demonstrates a good awareness of the changes and their consequences and the answer is well located in reality.
Level 2 response: 4-7 marks
Changes are not as detailed and reality information is undeveloped.
Level 1 response: 0-3 marks
Generalised with un-located, vague and sketchy changes. Inappropriate example.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q2 (c) Evaluate the success of an inner city regeneration scheme. (10 marks)
A good example of a successful inner city regeneration schemes could be that of the Seven Streets Village along the Ladypool Road. Folowwing the idea of the 'urban village' suggested by Dr Carl Chinn - rather than comprehensively redeveloping the old Victorian terraced housing in inner city locations, it has been proved to be more successful to maintain a community and its services (shops, schools, parks) by creating somewhere for the inhabitants to 'work, rest and play' in one area - that area being the urban village. Seven Streets Village has been more successful than the Lee Bank area in Birmingham's inner city. In the 1960s the Victorian terraces in Lee Bank were cleared and concrete tower blocks put up in their place. Not only were they constructed with poor quality building materials, but in the comprehensive clearance, the community cohesion was lost. An evaluation would be in terms of the social degradation, the Lee Bank regeneration scheme of 50 years ago was not successful. In fact, they have now replace the tower blocks in Lee Bank, with low level housing very similar to the original terraces that can be seen in Seven Streets Village and Selly Oak. For a regeneration scheme to be successful the community must come first.
The Exam Board Mark Scheme wants to read about renovation, gentrification, regeneration or renewal schemes. Success could be the personal opinion of the candidate. Success may be perceived to be entirely positive or negative or a mixture. This answer does require you to evaluate the schemes suggested.
How your marks are awarded
Level 3 response: 8-10 marks
Broad and balanced discussion which may include both positive and negative aspects of policies of an established scheme. Well balanced between descriptive information of a case study and reasons for success with a good range of views.
Level 2 response: 4-7 marks
Demonstrates a range of points which are well structured, but description dominates with limited evaluation or case study input.
Level 1 response: 0-3 marks
Demonstrates some aspects in general terms with little depth nor illustration.
|