O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2014 · Q225 Marks

(a) Study Fig. 3, a map of Gdansk, an urban area in Poland (an MEDC), along with Photographs A, B, C and D (Insert). [Figure 3]

(a)(i)Write the letters B, C and D into the correct boxes on Fig. 3 to show their likely location in the urban area. The location of Photograph A has been done for you.[1]
(a)(ii)Give two pieces of evidence from Photograph A that the area shown is part of the CBD (Central Business District). 1 2[2]
(a)(iii)Describe the causes of traffic congestion in the CBDs of major urban areas.[3]
(a)(iv)Explain how the problems of traffic congestion in cities can be solved.[4]
(b)Study Fig. 4, which shows information about urban growth in the USA. [Figure 4]
(b)(i)Describe the changes in the total percentage of population living in urban areas in the USA between 1910 and 2000. You should include statistics in your answer.[3]
(b)(ii)Suggest why the percentage of the urban population living in the suburbs of cities in the USA has increased rapidly since 1910.[5]
(c)For a named example of a town or city you have studied, describe the impacts of urban sprawl on the natural environment. Name of town or city .....................................................[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] (a)(i) All letters in correct boxes. B, C, D from bottom to top.
[2] (a)(ii) Ideas such as: Tall buildings/several storeys/skyscrapers; High order services/specialised stores/chain stores; Shops/shopping malls; Restaurants/cafe; Lots of pedestrians/lots of people; Pedestrian zones; Offices.
[3] (a)(iii) Ideas such as: All roads converge on CBD; Lots of junctions/roundabouts/lights; People work in the CBD/there are offices/commuting; People shop in CBD; Start/finish at peak times/rush hour; High car ownership/lots of people own cars/lots of people own vehicles; Inadequate road network/narrow roads/not enough roads; Insufficient public transport/expensive public transport; Lots of tourist attractions/lots of tourists go there; Delivery lorries; Temporary disruption to traffic e.g. road works/broken traffic lights/accidents; School run.
[4] (a)(iv) Ideas such as: Ring roads; By-passes; Road widening; Build/improve public transport; Park and Ride; Build metro/underground/tram/train/subway; More regular buses; Build schools/businesses in other parts of the city; Better parking facilities/off road parking/build more car parks; Number plate scheme; Install traffic lights/more traffic police/robots/roundabouts; One way systems; Cycle/bus lanes; Priority lanes/car sharing; Encourage use of public transport by lowering fares/advertising/provide bikes to hire; Encourage flexible working hours; Flyover; Congestion charge.
[3] (b)(i) It has increased/overall increase/increase over the time period; From 26% (1910) to 77/78% (2000)/increased by 51/52%/tripled; Any trend/change from within the time period e.g. most rapid Increase from 1930 to 1940 (N.B.: not just "increase” alone or statistics alone here.) Examples: 1900-1930– steady increase 1930-1940 – rapid increase 1940-1950 – slow increase 1950-1990 – rapid increase 1960-1970 – rapid increase 1990-2000 - slow increase N.B.: In 'increase' applies to inner city; suburbs or part of the time period on the first line, do not credit.
[5] (b)(ii) Ideas such as: More room in suburbs/more land available in suburbs; People wanting larger houses; Garden space; Preference to live in quieter areas/less noisy areas; Prefer to live in areas with less atmospheric pollution; Prefer to live in area with less traffic congestion; Lower crime rates/safer; More countryside/closer to countryside; Development of transport facilities/people (can afford to) commute; Cheaper land in suburbs; Redevelopment of inner city areas. Accept vice versa.
[7] (c) Levels marking Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe the impacts of urban sprawl on the natural environment. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which describe the impacts of urban sprawl on the natural environment. (N.B. Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements including some place-specific reference. Content Guide: Answers are likely to refer to; Loss of vegetation, Loss of habitats, Extinction of species, Water pollution, Air pollution etc. Place-specific reference is likely to consist of: Named parts of the city/locational detail, Specific reference to species etc. N.B.: Impacts can be at any scale. The focus is on the natural environment. Development should be of the impact and not the cause. Do not accept visual pollution ideas. Litter is ^ unless developed for impact upon the environment. Name of country does not count for place-specific – need more detail. See front notes section.