The Rural-urban fringe

Specification linkup

At AS level, this case study could be used in Section 11.2 Settlement Processes and Patterns:

• Definitions of urbanisation and suburbanisation.
• The physical, economic, social and political factors causing the initial and subsequent growth of urban settlements.
• Economic and social factors resulting in different forms of suburbanisation and the decentralisation of population in the MEDW.
• The economic, social and environmental consequences of urbanisation and suburbanisation.
• The distinction between counter urbanisation and suburbanisation.
• Changes over time in rural-urban fringe settlements in the UK: an analysis of the causes and consequences of these changes.
• The issues regarding the use of greenfield and brownfield sites for additional housing. Candidates must be provided with an opportunity to explore the role of the values and attitudes of decision-makers and their own.
• Land use patterns within urban areas and the immediate rural-urban fringe illustrated by contemporary models relevant to the UK such as Robson and Mann, and one LEDW model. The role of economic and social processes and the part played by physical factors.

Also at AS level, Section 11.3 Economic Activity:

• A study of the flights of retailing to the suburbs.
• Retail parks and regional shopping centres.
• A consideration of the role of the planning process in the location of business and science parks
• The costs and benefits of a city centre location versus out of town location for retailing and business/science to be considered to enable candidates to explore their own attitudes and values and those of others.

At A2 level, this case study is relevant to Section 14.2 Managing Cities – Challenges and Issues:

• Pollution and associated health risks related to air, water and land.
• The issue of waste disposal: land fill sites, incineration.
• Threats to urban ecosystems
• Containing growth: green belts, wedges, buffers and hearts with case studies related to the UK and EU.
• Synthesis of spatial variations in quality of urban life related to economic, social and environmental processes. The role of values and attitudes of decision makers and an evaluation of their own values in relation to urban issues.
  

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At AS use this case study to examine:

• Suburbanisation and counter urbanisation within MEDCs
• Different attitudes to urbanisation, suburbanisation and counterurbanisation.
  
  

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Specification linkup

2.2.3 Settlements change over time:
Reasons for changes in urban areas, including suburbanisation
Reasons for and issues associated with edge-of-town development

For AS this case study will help you to:

• understand what suburbanisation means
• make clear the distinction between suburbanisation and counter-
  urbanisation

5.2.3 There is an inter-dependence between urban and rural environments.
The patterns apparent on the urban/rural fringe in MEDCs and the processes involved.
The influence of urban economies on the socio-economic characteristics of rural areas.

For A2 level use this case study to:

• help you define the rural-urban fringe
• compare the rural-urban fringe in UK and US
• identify how the rural-urban fringe is changing in the UK
• understand the economic and social pressures on the rural-urban fringe
• give some insight into planning issues in a local area.
  
  
  

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Specification Links

There is a specific link to a small part of the AS Unit 2 – Managing Change in Human Environments - 2.7.4 contrasts in the rural-urban fringe.

Key concepts in this context area.

• The processes that have led to the development of the rural-urban fringe as a distinctive zone.
• The changing nature of the rural-urban fringe.
• The competing land uses found in the rural-urban fringe (see figures).
• The conflicts that might arise as a result.

The case study of the Epson-Ewell would form an appropriate basis for raising these key concepts.

Additionally, the contrasts between the rural-urban fringe in MEDCs and LEDCs is a required topic.

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Specification linkup

At AS level this case study relates to the following parts of Section 5.2.2 (Rural and urban settlement: pattern, process and change):
(a) Rural settlement in MEDCs:

• Changing settlement hierarchies in MEDCs and factors responsible for change
  

(b) The population changes in MEDCs since 1960:

• Rural-urban migration and rural depopulation
• Urban-rural migration and counterurbanisation
• The impact of migration in rural areas on population, age-structure, socio-economic groups, service provision and values and attitudes
  

(c) Contemporary urban growth in MEDCs:

• The causes of suburbanisation and ex-urban growth
• The problems caused by urban growth in MEDCs, including air pollution, water supply, waste disposal, urban sprawl and congestion.
  

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