The Rural-Urban Fringe
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Lesson Aim:
To find out
what has
happened on
the Rural-Urban
Fringe
especially
regarding
housing.
The Rural-Urban Fringe
Describe what you can see in the photo
What is the rural-urban fringe?
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It is the area where the city meets
the countryside.
Key words:
1/ Greenfield site – one that has not been built on before
2/ Brownfield site – one that has been built on before
Why do some people want to build on the RUF?
What is the land used for in
the RUF?
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Housing developments as urban sprawl
continues
Science and business parks
Hyper-markets and superstores
Retail parks & out of town shopping centres
Office developments
Hotels and conference centres
Airport expansion
Shopping Centres
Why do they want to locate at the RUF?
Room to expand
Space for parking
Local suburban work force
Cheap land
Close to motorways
Leisure facilities can
also be provided
Airports
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Massive increase in air traffic predicted by
2030.
Low cost carriers such as Easy Jet are
increasing their routes and passenger
numbers.
Expansion of Bournemouth Airport
Problems: noise & air pollution, more traffic in
the area, loss of biodiversity, visual pollution.
Housing
Why is housing built at the RUF?
Land is cheap
Peace and quiet
More housing is
needed as more
people are living
alone and living
longer.
Less crime
Good access to
countryside
Easy access to
motorways
What are the negative impacts
caused by developing the
RUF?
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Large areas of countryside may be lost
Buildings may be out of character with
existing rural buildings
Villages become suburbanised
Traffic is likely to increase ( both cars
and lorries)
There may be some noise or pollution
NIMBY
How can change at the RUF
be managed?
Creating ‘Green Belts’ – a zone of countryside around a city
where development is controlled.They aim to:
 Prevent urban sprawl
 Prevent towns merging
 Preserve the special character of towns
NOT ALL CITIES HAVE GREEN BELTS.
Examples include London, Oxford and Bournemouth.
However, greenbelts are often leap-frogged and development
happens just outside it. 1100 hec lost each year since 1997.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news_web/video/
9012da68001e538/bb/09012da68001e72d_16x9_bb
.asx
BBC Video clip – How they have benefited England.
Other Policies
In recent years the Government has tried
to reduce pressure on the RUF by
encouraging development of brownfield
sites over greenfield sites, and stopping
any more out of town shopping centres
from being built.
Greenfield Vs Brownfield
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Why build on Brownfield Sites?
- many areas have unoccupied buildings
which could be upgraded
- brownfield sites already have utilities such
as water and gas pipes
- development in urban as opposed to rural
areas can help reduce reliance on cars
Greenfield Vs Brownfield
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Why build on Greenfield Sites?
- part 1 video
- generally perceived as better quality of life
in the countryside Watch this video about the
Green Belt near Utrecht, Holland. Why did the
family move into a house in the green belt?
part 2 show the effects of this building.
Make sure you understand the
economic and environmental effects
Is a new housing area coming
to Salisbury?
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Building companies are looking at
extending the housing at Hampton Park
Why would some people be against this
development?
Why would some people be for this
development?
Is a new housing estate
coming to Salisbury?
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Your homework is to imagine you are a
high ranking manager for a building
company. You need to write to the
town council explaining how you will
appease the worries of the local people
about this Greenfield development.
Specifically you need to explain how
you will make the area more
sustainable.