4.2 The degree of urbanisation varies across the UK

Match up the definitions with the correct key terms.

• Rate of urbanisation

• The speed at which people move from rural to urban areas

• Region

• The number of people in an area, usually given as people per square kilometre.

• Major urban centre

• An area that has a high population density and is made up of houses, industrial buildings, factories and transport routes.

• Population density

• The pattern showing how population is spread over an area

• Population distribution

• A unit/area within a country

Identify the name for the following kind of map where colour or shading is used to indicate the average population density in an area.

• Bar chart

• Pie chart

• Colour map

• Choropleth map

Major urban areas are unevenly distributed around the UK.

• True

• False

Using the map, identify whether the statement is true or false. You can use the answers more than once.

​ 1. The major urban centres of the UK are unevenly distributed. ​ (a)  

2. 2. All of the major built up areas in Wales, and Scotland. ​ (b)  

3. 3. England has the least large built up areas. ​ (c)  

4. 4. Scotland and Northern-Ireland have only one large built up area and Wales has none. ​ (d)  

5. 5. The large and major built up areas are grouped around the centre of the country. ​​ (e)  

• True
• False

Categorising the factors affecting the rate of urbanisation in the UK

Groups:

(a) Physical

,

(b) Historical

,

(c) Economic

,

(d) Political

• Relief of land, water supply, raw materials, climate and soil

• Location of national and local government, as well as government policies.

• Localised growth of tertiary and quaternary industry, as well as the growth of financial centres

• The Industrial Revolution, and Enclosure Acts

Reasons for regional variation in urbanisation in the UK- Historical factors:

Industrial Revolution- The Enclosure ​ (a)   saw many people being forced off the ​ (b)   and move to towns and cities in search of ​ (c)   .

Capital city - London stood out form the other towns of the UK and continues to do so today because of its ​ (d)   and its importance. London had been an important port for so long that it attracted ​ (e)   and in-migration of people in search of work.

• Acts
• land
• work
• size
• industries
• wars
• services
• soil

Reasons for regional variation in urbanisation in the UK- Physical factors

Natural Resources - Urban areas in South Wales (Swansea and Cardiff) grew in the 19th century,  because coal, iron ore and ​ (a)   were found.  This led to the development of ​ (b)   in the area, so people moved there for ​ (c)   .

Climate-  The ​ (d)   coast towns have more recently developed as retirement settlements due to the more relaxing environment and often more mild ​ (e)   eg Bournemouth.

• limestone
• industries
• jobs
• south
• climate
• relief 
• north 
• farming
• diamonds

Sort the reasons for regional variation of urbanisation in the UK.

Groups:

(a) Political

,

(b) Physical

,

(c) Economic

• Centre of government- encourages firms and people to move to live near the capital

• Tourism- as coastal towns develop their tourism industry, people move there for jobs

• Infrastructure- accessible areas by motorway and rail, more desirable for commuting and trade

• Steep relief and infertile soil- allowed for poor farming opportunities in the north

• Flatter relief and fertile soil- allowed more successful farming in the south and east of the UK

• Coastline- allowed trading with other countries as ports could be built