題目 1 · Thematic Structured & Case Studies
25 分**Question 1**
(a) Study the typical structures of urban settlements.
(i) Define the term *Central Business District (CBD)*. [1]
(ii) State two characteristics of the transition zone (inner city) of a city. [2]
(iii) Explain why high-class residential areas are often located on the rural-urban fringe. [3]
(iv) Explain how urban sprawl can cause problems for the natural environment. [4]
(b) Traffic congestion is a significant issue in many urban areas.
(i) Describe the traffic problems that can occur in a major city. [3]
(ii) Suggest ways in which traffic congestion can be reduced in urban areas. [5]
(c) For a named urban area you have studied, describe and explain the strategies used to improve housing in slums / informal settlements. [7]
(a) Study the typical structures of urban settlements.
(i) Define the term *Central Business District (CBD)*. [1]
(ii) State two characteristics of the transition zone (inner city) of a city. [2]
(iii) Explain why high-class residential areas are often located on the rural-urban fringe. [3]
(iv) Explain how urban sprawl can cause problems for the natural environment. [4]
(b) Traffic congestion is a significant issue in many urban areas.
(i) Describe the traffic problems that can occur in a major city. [3]
(ii) Suggest ways in which traffic congestion can be reduced in urban areas. [5]
(c) For a named urban area you have studied, describe and explain the strategies used to improve housing in slums / informal settlements. [7]
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解題
**Part (a)**
(i) The central commercial, retail, and business core of an urban area, characterized by high land values, high building density, and accessibility.
(ii) Characteristics include: high density of terraced housing or older apartment blocks; derelict land or abandoned factories; higher crime rates; mix of low-order services; ongoing gentrification or redevelopment.
(iii) High-class residential areas are often located on the fringe because: land is cheaper and more plentiful, allowing for larger homes and gardens; lower levels of air and noise pollution; scenic, green environments; improved transport links (highways, commuter rail) that allow easy travel into the center.
(iv) Urban sprawl destroys natural habitats through land clearing, leading to loss of biodiversity; causes deforestation; increases surface runoff and flooding risk due to the expansion of impermeable concrete surfaces; pollutes water sources from construction runoff and residential waste; increases greenhouse gas emissions due to longer vehicle commuter distances.
**Part (b)**
(i) Traffic issues include: long delay times and slow travel speeds during rush hours; increased air pollution and smog from idling vehicles; high levels of noise pollution; economic losses due to late deliveries and wasted working hours; emergency vehicles (e.g., ambulances) being blocked or delayed.
(ii) Strategies include: improving public transport systems (e.g., building underground metro networks, bus rapid transit systems); introducing congestion charging zones (charging drivers to enter the city center); building park-and-ride schemes at the urban periphery; creating dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian-only zones to encourage non-vehicular transport; implementing carpooling lanes and high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) regulations; staggering working/school hours to spread out commuter demand.
**Part (c) Model Case Study: Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)**
In Rocinha, the government and NGOs have used several strategies to improve housing. Under the Favela-Bairro Project, basic services were integrated into the settlement. Dirt tracks were replaced with paved roads to allow access for waste collection vehicles and emergency services, reducing disease and improving safety. Wooden and unstable shelters were replaced with brick and concrete housing structures built with stronger foundations to prevent landslides on steep slopes. Heavy investments were made in sanitation, installing sewage pipes to redirect human waste away from open channels, and providing clean piped water directly to homes. Furthermore, the cable car system (teleférico) was introduced to improve connectivity with the city center, allowing residents easier access to formal jobs, raising their incomes to reinvest in self-help home improvements.
(i) The central commercial, retail, and business core of an urban area, characterized by high land values, high building density, and accessibility.
(ii) Characteristics include: high density of terraced housing or older apartment blocks; derelict land or abandoned factories; higher crime rates; mix of low-order services; ongoing gentrification or redevelopment.
(iii) High-class residential areas are often located on the fringe because: land is cheaper and more plentiful, allowing for larger homes and gardens; lower levels of air and noise pollution; scenic, green environments; improved transport links (highways, commuter rail) that allow easy travel into the center.
(iv) Urban sprawl destroys natural habitats through land clearing, leading to loss of biodiversity; causes deforestation; increases surface runoff and flooding risk due to the expansion of impermeable concrete surfaces; pollutes water sources from construction runoff and residential waste; increases greenhouse gas emissions due to longer vehicle commuter distances.
**Part (b)**
(i) Traffic issues include: long delay times and slow travel speeds during rush hours; increased air pollution and smog from idling vehicles; high levels of noise pollution; economic losses due to late deliveries and wasted working hours; emergency vehicles (e.g., ambulances) being blocked or delayed.
(ii) Strategies include: improving public transport systems (e.g., building underground metro networks, bus rapid transit systems); introducing congestion charging zones (charging drivers to enter the city center); building park-and-ride schemes at the urban periphery; creating dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian-only zones to encourage non-vehicular transport; implementing carpooling lanes and high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) regulations; staggering working/school hours to spread out commuter demand.
**Part (c) Model Case Study: Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)**
In Rocinha, the government and NGOs have used several strategies to improve housing. Under the Favela-Bairro Project, basic services were integrated into the settlement. Dirt tracks were replaced with paved roads to allow access for waste collection vehicles and emergency services, reducing disease and improving safety. Wooden and unstable shelters were replaced with brick and concrete housing structures built with stronger foundations to prevent landslides on steep slopes. Heavy investments were made in sanitation, installing sewage pipes to redirect human waste away from open channels, and providing clean piped water directly to homes. Furthermore, the cable car system (teleférico) was introduced to improve connectivity with the city center, allowing residents easier access to formal jobs, raising their incomes to reinvest in self-help home improvements.
評分準則
**(a)(i)** 1 mark for a clear definition.
* Accept: The central retail/business hub of a city; the commercial center.
* Reject: Just "the center of town" without commercial/business context.
**(a)(ii)** 1 mark per valid characteristic up to 2 marks.
* Accept: High-density terraced housing; older, low-quality housing; industrial/derelict land; multi-ethnic communities; redevelopment/gentrification; high crime rates.
**(a)(iii)** 1 mark per valid explanation up to 3 marks.
* Accept: Cheaper land allows larger houses/gardens; quieter/less air pollution; green spaces/closer to nature; good transport links/highways allow easy commuting.
**(a)(iv)** 1 mark per valid explanation up to 4 marks.
* Accept: Deforestation/loss of vegetation; habitat fragmentation/loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; increased surface runoff/flooding due to impermeable surfaces; air/water pollution from construction/traffic.
**(b)(i)** 1 mark per valid descriptive point up to 3 marks.
* Accept: Gridlock/long queues/delays; smog/air pollution; noise pollution; delayed emergency services; road rage/stress; economic losses from delays.
**(b)(ii)** 1 mark per valid point (up to 5 marks) with development allowed.
* Accept: Bus rapid transit / metro schemes (1 mark); congestion pricing (1 mark); park and ride (1 mark); bike lanes/pedestrianization (1 mark); carpooling lanes (1 mark); staggering work hours (1 mark).
**(c)** Case Study Marking Scheme (7 marks):
* **Level 1 (1-3 marks):** Simple, general statements describing housing improvements (e.g., they put in running water, rebuilt houses, added roads) with no or limited specific detail of a named urban area.
* **Level 2 (4-6 marks):** Developed statements showing geographical understanding of specific strategies used in a named slum/informal settlement (e.g., describing the Favela-Bairro scheme in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting concrete brick replacement on slopes and sewage pipe installation).
* **Level 3 (7 marks):** Fully developed, comprehensive case study of a named, specific urban area. Precise details, specific locations, and clear, integrated descriptions and explanations of the success or implementation of multiple housing improvement strategies.
* Accept: The central retail/business hub of a city; the commercial center.
* Reject: Just "the center of town" without commercial/business context.
**(a)(ii)** 1 mark per valid characteristic up to 2 marks.
* Accept: High-density terraced housing; older, low-quality housing; industrial/derelict land; multi-ethnic communities; redevelopment/gentrification; high crime rates.
**(a)(iii)** 1 mark per valid explanation up to 3 marks.
* Accept: Cheaper land allows larger houses/gardens; quieter/less air pollution; green spaces/closer to nature; good transport links/highways allow easy commuting.
**(a)(iv)** 1 mark per valid explanation up to 4 marks.
* Accept: Deforestation/loss of vegetation; habitat fragmentation/loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; increased surface runoff/flooding due to impermeable surfaces; air/water pollution from construction/traffic.
**(b)(i)** 1 mark per valid descriptive point up to 3 marks.
* Accept: Gridlock/long queues/delays; smog/air pollution; noise pollution; delayed emergency services; road rage/stress; economic losses from delays.
**(b)(ii)** 1 mark per valid point (up to 5 marks) with development allowed.
* Accept: Bus rapid transit / metro schemes (1 mark); congestion pricing (1 mark); park and ride (1 mark); bike lanes/pedestrianization (1 mark); carpooling lanes (1 mark); staggering work hours (1 mark).
**(c)** Case Study Marking Scheme (7 marks):
* **Level 1 (1-3 marks):** Simple, general statements describing housing improvements (e.g., they put in running water, rebuilt houses, added roads) with no or limited specific detail of a named urban area.
* **Level 2 (4-6 marks):** Developed statements showing geographical understanding of specific strategies used in a named slum/informal settlement (e.g., describing the Favela-Bairro scheme in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting concrete brick replacement on slopes and sewage pipe installation).
* **Level 3 (7 marks):** Fully developed, comprehensive case study of a named, specific urban area. Precise details, specific locations, and clear, integrated descriptions and explanations of the success or implementation of multiple housing improvement strategies.