KEY STAGE 5 GEOGRAPHY
East London transect
Enquiry question: How does environmental quality and land use change with distance from the CBD?
Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding
Urban models predict environmental quality will improve with distance from CBD
They also predict land use will change from commercial to residential further from CBD
Traditional urban land use models no longer describe modern cities like London
Recent processes, such as gentrification and re-urbanisation may be changing the model
Geographical skills
Environmental quality survey
Quality of life questionnaire
Land use mapping
Take geo-located photos of land use
Learning outcomes
Most students will be able to:
Understand that traditional urban land use models no longer describe modern cities
Use an EQS to find out how environmental quality changes with distance from CBD
Carry out a questionnaire about quality of life to find out how it changes
Map land use along the transect to find out how it changes with distance from CBD
If possible, propose a new urban model that better describes changes in environmental quality and land use with distance from the CBD
Pre-visit recommendation
Students should be familiar with traditional urban models, like the Burgess model, but recognise these were often based on American cities in the early 20th century. They should be aware modern cities, like London, may be different.
Resources
None required
Introduction
Meet at Aldgate station on the edge of London’s CBD. Point out the proximity of high-rise offices in the CBD. Explain how London has grown from its original Roman site. Until recently, Aldgate was in the middle of a congested one-way road system with high levels of air pollution. It has since been redeveloped. Model fieldwork methods to be used along the transect.
Resources
Sheet 1: Environmental quality survey
Sheet 2: Quality of life questionnaire
Fieldwork
Location 1: Aldgate Square
Location 2: Altab Ali Park
Location 3: Whitechapel Station
Location 4: O’Leary Square
Location 5: Ocean Estate
Location 6: Mile End Station
Location 7: Bow Road Station
Location 8: Bow Church
At each location, students do an environmental quality survey, carry out a quality of life questionnaire, map land use and take geo-located photos. Walk along main road from Aldgate to Bow, splitting class into groups to collect data from alternate locations. They can share data later.
Resources
Sheet 3: Aldgate Square map
Sheet 4: Altab Ali Park map
Sheet 5: Whitechapel St map
Sheet 6: O’Leary Square map
Sheet 7: Ocean Estate map
Sheet 8: Mile End St map
Sheet 9: Bow Road St map
Sheet 10: Bow Church map
Plenary
Discuss the changes they have seen along the transect. Even though students may not have collected data from every location, they should have an overall impression of the changes. To what extent do traditional urban models describe the changes? Do these models provide an adequate description of a modern city? What new model could they propose?
Resources
Sheet 11: Transect summary
