explain the problems of urban areas, their causes and possible solutions

Problems	Solutions
Decline of the CBD in cities in MEDC’s •congestion •lack of parking spaces •high land prices •retailers leaving •decentralisation of companies and administration	Pedestrianisation  •allows a safer, relaxed environment  •less air and noise pollution from vehicles Shopping Malls •undercover shopping areas  •air conditioned malls and restaurants  Visual Improvements  •flower beds, seated areas, trees  •pavements and cafés and bars Transport Improvements •underground railways
Security in the CBD during the evenings  •high crime rates •litter •graffiti •vandalism	Security  •police / private security firm patrols •CCTV as a deterrent to thieves
Twilight Zone on the edge of the CBD •derelict land and buildings •high rates of crime and social problems	Redevelopment  •these areas’ buildings could be redeveloped by the  government
Crime and Racial Conflicts (MEDC and LEDC) •high levels of poverty •development of ghettos in inner MEDC’s and  informal settlements in LEDC’s  •many may join gangs due to domestic stress levels	Facilities  •providing social facilities such as sports clubs •ensuring adequate policing on the streets  •providing language lessons for immigrants  Dedicated Projects •zero tolerance on crime  •job creation schemes to provide employment
Squatter Settlements in LEDC’s •residents do not own the land and could be evicted •houses are not weatherproof •no proper sanitation and water supply •no electricity, but it may be illegally supplied  •no local employment since it’s on the outskirts •long journeys to central areas with little transport •extreme poverty and high unemployment  •overcrowding in rooms with disease   •high levels of crime and drug and alcohol abuse	Housing  •low-cost housing schemes  •piped water, sewer and electricity provision •self-help schemes that provide groups of people  with materials to build properly
Housing Shortages in MEDC’s •caused by older properties in the CBD, needing  renovation  •a population increase through immigration and  natural growth •property prices are too high for those who are on  low wages	New Housing  •slum clearance schemes •older housing replaced by blocks of flats •newer houses being built on the suburbs  •new towns being built in the countryside  •land may be reclaimed from the sea e.g Japan
Traffic Congestion in MEDC’s and LEDC’s  •ancient cities built long before public transport  means narrow roads and close buildings •increase in use of private cars •large number of work commuters meaning too  many transport vehicles available  •lots of tourism in the CBD  •people may pass through the city	Transport •underground railways  •bus lanes •integrated transport policies  •trams •making it more affordable and more frequent Infrastructure  •congestion charge •electronic ticketing  •traffic lights •roundabouts  •ring roads  •park and ride schemes

Air Pollutant	Source	Problem
Carbon Monoxide	•vehicle exhausts	•reduces oxygen supply to the  heart
Carbon Dioxide	•vehicle exhausts  •power stations •industrial processes •domestic heating	•greenhouse gases assist global  warming
Nitrus Oxides	•vehicle exhausts  •power stations	•lung irritation •leads to ozone formation
Ground Level Ozone	•reactions involving vehicle  exhausts	•photochemical smog leads to eye  and lung irritation
Particulate Matter	•construction dust •soot from open fires •diesel vehicles	•smog causes respiratory  diseases
Sulphur Dioxide	•vehicle exhausts  •power stations	•lung irritation •acid rain
Lead	•exhaust gases from leaded petrol	•harms the kidneys, liver, nervous  system and other organs

•solutions to air pollutants 

          •laws to control the emissions from industry and housing e.g smoke free zones

          •carrying out checks on vehicle exhausts and removing polluting vehicles

          •higher taxes for the most polluting vehicles 

          •reducing the amount of electricity generated from thermal power stations 

          •developing new power stations that do not release carbon dioxide into the air 

          •have time slots for industries to be in action 

•problems of water pollution 

          •raw sewage in rivers 

          •contamination of drinking water leading to health issues such as diarrhoea and dysentery 

          •liquid waste of industry or domestic waste may mix with drinking water

          •sewage may be untreated 

•solutions to water pollution 

          •improve sanitation

          •improve the infrastructure of the area 

          •harsh regulations for waste dumping 

          •treat the sewage 

•problems of visual pollution

          •smog from the pollution means ugly and dark skies

          •graffiti 

          •litter

          •construction 

          •derelict land or ugly buildings with industry 

•solutions to visual pollution

          •stricter planning regulations

          •improve litter collection 

          •building nicer buildings in derelict land 

          

•problems of noise pollution 

          •cars, lorries and trains and aircrafts can be noisy 

          •factories and large congregations of people like football crowds or parties

          •construction work may be an issue in high density area

•solutions to noise pollution

          •laws which limit noise from factories and homes

          •separating noisy areas from residential areas

          •building solid fences to reduce noise