Land use in urban areas

Land use in urban areas in the UK has shown a dramatic change over the past 30 years. This has been due to:

1) An increased demand for housing by the UK population

2) Deindustrialisation of manufacturing from urban areas to LICs where it is cheaper

Increase in Housing Demand

British society has changed, many grandparents lived with their families, many now live alone or rely on welfare state to provide carers and home help.

Reasons for change in urban areas

People are marrying later in life, average age has gone up from 24 in 1960 to 30 in 2013.

Population is wealthier so people can afford to buy or rent properties at an earlier age.

Mortgages were easier to get without paying a deposit for a house, which created more demand.

Ageing population means older people living on their own, so not enough houses for the younger generation

People having fewer children later in life means they require smaller houses

Government has produced the Sustainable Communities policy. It promised 3 million new homes by 2020. The government is also developing eco towns, which are a new towns designed to facilitate a lifestyle that has as little impact on the environment as possible.

There has been a rise in the number of divorces which means families are split over 2 homes

Mortgages in 2013 have now changed as it is more difficult to afford one which has meant and increase in demand for rented properties.

Increase in the number of one and two bedroom properties to meet the changing demands of the population.

Deindustrialisation of manufacturing industries moving to LICs where costs are lower.

Increased demand in housing by population.

House prices have increased meaning people prefer to rent or buy smaller properties.

So where do we build all these houses?Brownfield sitesAn area within a city which is no longer used. It may contain old factories & housing, or it may have been cleared ready for redevelopment

Greenfield sitesAn area on the edge of the city, which has never been developed in any way.

helps rejuvenate old or disused areas

doesn’t destroy the countryside Services (water, gas, sewage & electricity) already in place Near places of work so easy to commute some sites are contaminated with pollutants

old buildings may need to be demolished

some areas may be run down- hard to attract investors May lack modern infrastructure-cost to develop

relatively cheap to develop

new houses quicker to build

easier to build on

located in “healthier areas”

Wildlife habitats disturbed

increased noise & light pollution & visual pollution from loss of rural scenery

recreational land lost- could encourage urban sprawl