Urban Issues and Challenges

    OCR
    GCSE

    This study area examines the global phenomenon of urbanisation, contrasting the rapid growth mechanisms in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs) with the regeneration and sustainability challenges facing High Income Countries (HICs). Candidates must analyse the social, economic, and environmental opportunities and challenges created by urban growth, ranging from the proliferation of informal settlements and sanitation deficits to urban sprawl and integrated transport solutions. Mastery requires the evaluation of urban planning strategies intended to improve quality of life and environmental sustainability.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award Level 3 marks only for responses integrating Place Specific Detail (PSD) rather than generic urban descriptions.
    • Credit analysis that distinguishes between 'world city' status (influence) and 'megacity' status (population size).
    • Candidates must link urban challenges (e.g., waste disposal, housing) directly to sustainability concepts.
    • Responses must demonstrate a chain of reasoning: Cause -> Process -> Impact -> Consequence.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the correct concept; now include specific data from your case study to support it."
    • "Your explanation of the cause is clear, but you need to assess the scale of the impact to reach higher levels."
    • "Ensure you explicitly address the command word 'Assess' by weighing up the success/failure of the strategy."
    • "Use geographical terminology (e.g., 'suburbanisation', 'brownfield site') to demonstrate precision."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award Level 3 marks only for responses integrating Place Specific Detail (PSD) rather than generic urban descriptions.
    • Credit analysis that distinguishes between 'world city' status (influence) and 'megacity' status (population size).
    • Candidates must link urban challenges (e.g., waste disposal, housing) directly to sustainability concepts.
    • Responses must demonstrate a chain of reasoning: Cause -> Process -> Impact -> Consequence.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 'Assess' questions, ensure you provide a judgement on the significance or success of a strategy.
    • 💡Memorise two specific statistics for each case study city (e.g., population growth rate, percentage of informal housing).
    • 💡Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) for 6 and 8 mark questions to ensure developed reasoning.
    • 💡When using maps or graphs, explicitly quote the data or grid references to access AO4 marks.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing LIDC/EDC case studies with AC case studies (e.g., applying informal settlement characteristics to London).
    • Failing to provide specific data or names of neighbourhoods/schemes (e.g., saying 'they built houses' instead of naming the specific regeneration project).
    • Describing a challenge without explaining why it is a challenge for that specific urban context.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Calculate
    Describe
    Explain
    Assess
    Evaluate
    To what extent

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