O-LevelGeographyPopulation and settlement2217/12 · Oct/Nov 2018 · Q225 Marks

Study Fig. 2.1, which shows data about five urban areas in Canada in 2015. [Figure 2.1] Study Fig. 2.2, an article about traffic in the city of Vernon, Canada. [Figure 2.2]

(a)(i)Tick the two features in the table below which are typical of an urban area. Large amounts of farmland and woodland [ ] Low population density [ ] Most areas are occupied by houses, shops, offices and factories [ ] National Parks [ ] Very little open space [ ][1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 2.1 only, identify the urban area where: – crime is most likely – health care is likely to be the poorest.[2]
(a)(iii)Identify the urban area listed in Fig. 2.1 which you think has the highest quality of life. Justify your choice. Urban area .........................................................................[3]
(a)(iv)The urban area of Vancouver has the fastest growing population. Suggest four different problems which could be faced by people living in Vancouver as a result of this rapid growth.[4]
(b)(i)Explain why it is important to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas such as Vernon.[3]
(b)(ii)Suggest ways in which the public transport system might be developed in Vernon during the next thirty years to reduce traffic problems.[5]
(c)For a named urban area you have studied, describe a change in land use and explain why this change in land use has caused conflict. Name of urban area ..........................................................[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 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Most areas occupied by houses, shops, offices and factories Very little open space Both needed for 1 mark
[2] Vernon Montreal 2 @ 1 mark
[3] Calgary (1 mark) Ideas such as: Lowest unemployment/higher unemployment in others; Lowest crime index/higher crime index in others; Highest household income/lower household income in others; 3 1 mark
[4] Problems such as: Lack of open space/green land/playing fields; Housing may be small/overcrowded houses/no space for gardens/need to build high rise; Not enough houses/high house prices/people live on streets/slums; Traffic problems/traffic congestion/lots of traffic/traffic delays; Pressure on public transport; Air pollution causes breathing difficulties/asthma, etc. Noise pollution; Water shortage/sanitation problems; Pressure on services/education/hospitals; Unemployment/lack of jobs; Need for landfill; 4 @ 1 mark
[3] Ideas such as traffic problems: Delays/cause people to be late for work/school/to destination; Result in loss of revenue for businesses/goods delivery delayed; Cause road rage/frustration/angry drivers; Time wasted; Uses more fuel; Increased accidents; Delays emergency services; Result in atmospheric pollution/asthma/lung disease; Increase noise levels/to make more peaceful; Result in loss of time/revenue for businesses/goods delivery delayed; Note: Can be phrased either way e.g. (traffic congestion) leads to more accidents or idea (that traffic management) leads to reduced accidents 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Ideas such as: More regular buses/trains/trams; More bus routes; So that all parts of the city are served by buses; Bus only lanes/roads; Install tram/metro/railway; Park and ride; People park on edge of city and use buses to CBD; Integrated public transport; Ensuring that bus, train, metro, etc. All meet at hubs; Free/subsidised public transport/decrease prices/multi-use card/oyster card; Longer/higher/double decker/more capacity; (Note: not bigger/larger) More comfortable/wifi/toilets/food on board/electric sockets; Note: Credit development of method of transport not for reasoning or impact 5@1 mark or development
[7] Levels marking Note: Candidates should focus on one land use change, so mark first change only if more than one is stated. Level 1 (1-3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe a new land use and explain why this has caused conflict. Note: Max 2 marks for description/explanation Level 2 (4-6 marks) Uses named example. More developed statements which describe a change (before and after) in land use and explain why this has caused conflict. Note: Max 5 marks for description/explanation (Note: Max 5 if no named or inappropriate example) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate which describes a change in land use and explains why this has caused conflict with some place specific reference. Content Guide: Answers are likely to focus on a change in land use such as: New housing development Building of a new industry Road building Building of a new shop/supermarket Closing industry Urban fringe development Shanty towns, etc. Problems can be accepted as the idea of conflict Credit description and explanation as L1/L2 statements as appropriate. Accept any changes in land use and any appropriate reasons for conflict as a result of the stated change in land use. Place specific reference is likely to consist of: Locational details, Named parts of urban area Specific details of the land use change, Named business, etc.