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Urban UK and city structure
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Most people in the UK live in towns and cities. Every city has a pattern you can learn to read.
Where people live in the UK
More than 80% of the UK's population lives in urban areas.
London is by far the largest city. Other major centres include Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Many northern and Midland cities grew fast in the Industrial Revolution, near coal and ports. Today the south east is growing fastest, because of service jobs and London's global role.
London is by far the largest city. Other major centres include Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Many northern and Midland cities grew fast in the Industrial Revolution, near coal and ports. Today the south east is growing fastest, because of service jobs and London's global role.
Site, situation and connectivity
Site: the land a city is built on, for example a river crossing or a natural harbour.
Situation: where it is in relation to the area around it.
Connectivity: how well it is linked by roads, railways, ports and airports, nationally and globally.
Situation: where it is in relation to the area around it.
Connectivity: how well it is linked by roads, railways, ports and airports, nationally and globally.
Zones of a city
CBD (central business district): shops, offices and entertainment; tall, often newer buildings and high land values.
Inner city: older housing, such as 19th-century terraces, and former factories; often regenerated.
Suburbs: 20th-century semi-detached and detached houses with gardens.
Rural-urban fringe: the edge of the city, with newer housing estates, business parks, out-of-town shops and farmland.
Inner city: older housing, such as 19th-century terraces, and former factories; often regenerated.
Suburbs: 20th-century semi-detached and detached houses with gardens.
Rural-urban fringe: the edge of the city, with newer housing estates, business parks, out-of-town shops and farmland.
Describe how building age changes from the CBD to the suburbs.
- Inner-city areas around the CBD have the oldest housing, often Victorian terraces.
- Further out, the suburbs have 20th-century semi-detached and detached houses.
- The rural-urban fringe has the newest estates and business parks.
- The CBD itself is often rebuilt, so it has many modern buildings.
Answer: Generally older near the centre and newer towards the edge, though the CBD is often rebuilt.
Over 80% of the UK lives in urban areas; London is the largest city and the south east is growing fastest. Site, situation and connectivity explain a city's growth. Zones: CBD, inner city, suburbs, rural-urban fringe.
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