Can urban & rural living be sustainable? (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

Specification links

The notes on this page cover part of 1.2.3 of the WJEC Eduqas B specification

1.2.3 - What factors help drive urban and rural change across the UK?

• The challenges of creating sustainable living environments in urban and rural locations include the importance of transport systems in creating sustainable communities.

Challenges of sustainable urban communities

• Urban areas across the UK face huge challenges in becoming more sustainable because they are:

  • Densely populated

  • Energy hungry

  • Constantly expanding

• Cities need to balance housing needs, transport, waste, and green space while keeping the environment healthy and life affordable for all residents

• Cities have to find ways to manage growth so that economic success does not come at the expense of people or the planet

• They must reduce pollution, provide fair housing, and maintain good-quality jobs and public spaces

• Rising population pressure

  • More people living in cities increases demand for housing, schools, and healthcare, which often leads to overcrowding and higher rents

• Pollution and congestion

  • Large numbers of vehicles cause noise, air pollution and traffic jams, especially during commuting hours

• Waste and resource use

  • Cities produce vast amounts of rubbish and consume high levels of energy and water every day

• Social inequality

  • Big differences remain between wealthy districts and deprived inner-city areas, creating unfair access to services and green space

Housing and energy challenges

• Most UK cities struggle to provide enough affordable homes and make existing housing energy efficient

• Old buildings often waste heat and need expensive upgrades to meet modern energy standards

  • Many houses in older districts have poor insulation and outdated heating systems, increasing both costs and carbon emissions

    • London is targeting net-zero emissions by 2030, but faces difficulties because many buildings are old and expensive to retrofit

  • City councils aim to build new energy-efficient homes on brownfield land so that derelict sites are reused rather than building in the countryside

    • Schemes such as Bristol’s Bedminster Green Project (opens in a new tab) plan low-carbon apartments close to jobs and transport to reduce commuting distances

Waste and resource management

• Urban areas produce millions of tonnes of waste each year, so recycling and reusing materials are vital parts of sustainability

• City councils are investing in cleaner waste systems and renewable energy sources

  • Bristol and Leeds use energy recovery facilities that turn non-recyclable waste into electricity

  • Local campaigns encourage people to separate food, glass, and plastic to reduce landfill

  • Businesses are being asked to reduce packaging and recycle more materials

Social and economic challenges

• A sustainable city must be fair and inclusive as well as green

• Many regeneration schemes create wealth, but can also push out long-term residents through higher rents

  • When old industrial areas are redeveloped, housing prices often rise, and poorer families can no longer afford to stay

  • Job growth in high-tech and finance benefits skilled workers but can leave low-income groups behind

  • City planners are promoting mixed-use developments that include affordable homes, community facilities, and local shops to keep neighbourhoods balanced

Transport and sustainable communities

• Transport is one of the biggest challenges for creating sustainable cities

• Moving millions of people each day without damaging the environment requires major investment in public systems

  • Car dependency causes congestion, air pollution and climate emissions, so cities are encouraging greener travel

  • Integrated transport networks link trains, trams, buses, cycling and walking routes so that people can travel easily without needing a car

• London’s Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) have cut city-centre emissions by around 25%, according to Transport for London (2024)

• Manchester’s Metrolink tram network connects outer suburbs to the city centre and helps reduce car use

• Bristol’s MetroBus rapid-transit service links deprived areas to jobs and education, supporting fairness and cutting traffic

• Evaluation

  • Cleaner air and less congestion make cities healthier and more pleasant

  • New systems are costly and can shift traffic and pollution to surrounding areas

Green spaces and urban design

• Sustainable cities protect and expand their green areas to improve air quality and well-being

• Well-designed urban environments encourage walking, cycling, and community interaction

  • Parks, trees, and rooftop gardens help absorb carbon and reduce heat in built-up districts

  • Regeneration projects often include riverside walks, cycle routes and community gardens to bring nature into the city

• Sheffield’s Grey to Green Project turned old roads into flood-resistant gardens and footpaths, reducing surface water and improving wildlife habitats

Challenges of sustainable rural communities

• Rural areas face very different sustainability challenges from cities

  • Communities are smaller, more spread out, and often far from main services, so keeping them connected and economically strong is a constant struggle

• Rural sustainability depends on keeping people, services, and jobs within reach for everyone, not just those who can afford to drive

• To stay sustainable, rural regions need continued investment and fair access to national infrastructure without damaging their landscapes or traditions

Challenges of rural sustainability

• Rural communities must find ways to keep people, jobs, and services in the countryside while protecting the environment that makes these places special

  • Small, scattered populations

    • Many rural villages are small and spread over large areas, which makes it expensive to provide regular buses, broadband, and healthcare

  • Loss of local services

    • When populations fall, local shops, post offices, and schools often close because they are no longer profitable

  • Limited access to jobs and transport

    • People may have to travel long distances to reach work or college, which increases costs and carbon emissions

  • Ageing populations

    • Young adults often move to cities for work or study, leaving older residents behind and creating pressure on healthcare and social care

  • Pressure from tourism and second homes

    • In popular areas such as Cornwall or the Lake District, second homes and holiday rentals push up house prices and reduce affordable housing for local families

Economic challenges

• Keeping rural economies healthy is difficult because traditional industries have declined, and new ones are slow to develop

• Many rural regions have lost steady jobs in farming, mining, and small-scale manufacturing, which once provided income all year round

• To replace these industries, communities often depend on tourism, which brings money in summer but leaves fewer opportunities in winter

• Local businesses struggle to compete with large supermarkets and online retailers, so village shops and markets often close

• The cost of fuel and transport is high in remote areas, which makes it harder for small firms to stay profitable

• Attractive landscapes bring visitors, but also attract wealthier buyers who increase house prices, forcing young people out of the housing market

• Example

  • Cornwall and North Wales have both seen strong growth in tourism but still have some of the lowest average wages in the UK

Environmental challenges

• Rural areas need to protect their scenery and biodiversity while also providing housing and jobs for local people

• Heavy car use adds to carbon emissions because public transport is limited

• Tourism can increase litter, erosion, and traffic in sensitive landscapes like Snowdonia or the Yorkshire Dales

• Farmers are under pressure to produce food sustainably by reducing chemicals and protecting wildlife habitats

• Renewable energy schemes such as wind or solar farms can bring income but may cause visual and noise concerns for nearby residents

• Example

  • Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park welcomes more than four million visitors each year, creating income for locals but also serious congestion and parking problems

The importance of transport in rural sustainability

• Good transport is essential for rural life because it connects people to jobs, education, and healthcare

• Without it, residents can become isolated and local economies struggle

• Many rural bus routes have been reduced or stopped altogether, leaving villages with no regular service

• Community transport projects, such as Devon’s Ring & Ride, use minibuses and volunteers to help older residents reach shops and appointments

• Electric vehicle networks supported by local councils make it easier for drivers to switch to cleaner travel

• In National Parks, park-and-ride and shuttle bus systems reduce congestion and protect the landscape

• Rural railway lines like the Settle–Carlisle route have been kept open to support tourism and provide vital links between towns

• Example

  • The Snowdonia Sherpa Bus connects popular walking routes and villages, cutting car numbers in the park and helping visitors travel more sustainably

Rural community initiatives

• Many rural communities have taken action themselves to keep their villages alive and environmentally responsible

• Community hubs combine cafés, shops, and post offices under one roof to save money and create social spaces

• Local renewable energy projects give villages income and reduce their carbon footprint

• Volunteers and local councils are working together to improve broadband and mobile coverage so that people can work from home or start small digital businesses

• Farmers are diversifying into new areas such as holiday cottages, farm shops, or renewable energy to create extra income

• Examples

  • Gigha Island in Scotland uses three community-owned wind turbines to fund local services and housing projects

  • Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN) in Lancashire provides high-speed fibre internet built and maintained by volunteers, allowing residents to run businesses and work remotely