Inner City Decline and Greenbelt Land

Inner City Decline

more than 4 million people live in the inner cities of the UK- typified by economic decline, personal poverty, social problems and environmental decay

Characteristics High levels of unemployment high proportion of out-migration figures many boarded up shops  empty derelict buildings closing schools and low levels of education low levels of political participation high incidence of crime, vandalism and graffiti 

Economic Declinede-industrialisation in inner cities was accompanied by expansion of employment in rural areas and small townsChanging levels of technology and space requirements of the manufacturing industry which resulted in shortage of suitable land and premises of the inner city. Globalisation of production lead to declining profits and increased competition companies were forces to move to new locations in the UK

Population loss and social declinechanging residential preferences, job growth and increased accessibility to sub-urban areas as well as the poor image of the inner city.younger, more affluent, more skilled tend to live in suburban areas leaving less affluent in the inner city. low quality housing, empty derelict properties and overgrown wasteland. high levels of vandalism and crime. high rise flats lack community feel and low election turn outs- people feel rejected. 

Greenbelt and Green Wedges

'an area of land in the country-side around an urban area where development is severely restricted. in UK any development on Greenland must be approved by the department of the environment'

the UK currently has 14 greenbelt areas

Green Wedges-those of largely undeveloped land, usually in an urban area, protected and identified by local planning authorities because they are locally important

35% of the UK is greenbelt land

Brownfield Sites-sites within an urban area that used to have old housing or other building but these have been cleared for new development

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Greenbelt