Sky High Squatters

Check out the squatters in Caracas Venezuela http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11942501

Government Scrap Fixed Age Retirement in UK

Government plans scrapping fixed retirement age. Read this article and watch the two video clips to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal.

Unhealthy State - Life Expectancy and Health

A new study reveals how unhealthy the UK is and its impact on Life Expectancy

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8652074.stm

Darfur - Observations and Interventions from the West

Follow the link to the UK Parliament paper on the Darfur Crisis.  The hyperlinks within the doc lead to some interesting perspectives on resolving and managing the conflict.

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-051.pdf

Has multiculturalism been good or bad for Britain?

Has the idea of multiculturalism helped create an inclusive and supportive society in Britain or simply highlighted the differences between us and our neighbours?

Follow the link to this recent article from the Guardian newspaper.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/17/multiculturalism-diversity-political-policy

Multicultural Britain

Follow the links below to investigate multicultural Britain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4270010.stm

Acces to Social Care

New levy could pave way for increased spending on the eldrely

Follow the link for mor einformation

20 Years of Conflict March 1990 2010 - Kashmir

The BBC News has an excellent set of pages on this conflict which gives an insight into the conflict, its origins, escalation and possible route to resolution. I recommend all A2 students to read and make notes from these pages for the GG3 paper.

Deal or no Deal? - Conflict in Darfur

The end of a long and bitter conflict may be in sight. Follow the links and make notes from this news story

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8530033.stm

Sustainable Transport - Its a Gas Gas Gas!

Check this link out. How could this impact on sustainable transport?

Sustainable Transport - Planning for the Future - Leeds & Yorkshire Region

Sustainable Transport

Sustainable transport minimises the negative environmental and social impacts of travel, whilst maintaining an efficient and effective transport system that supports sustainable economic growth. This includes, for example, reducing transport emissions that contribute to local pollution problems and climate change; and promoting environments that encourage safe and pleasant walking and cycling.

In the MEDW there are three key areas of implementation:

•  Promoting Cycling and Active travel 
•  Encouraging Smarter Measures 
•  Accelerating the development and use of low carbon vehicles and alternative fuels

Cycling and Active Travel (use your 4b notes).

What are Smart Measures?


Smart Measures are instruments which provide the infrastructure and promote the benefits of more active and sustainable travel. They are a suite of steps to encourage more sustainable and active forms of travel like walking and cycling as well as making more efficient and effective use of cars by trying to reduce single occupancy vehicles.

Key elements of Smart Measures are:

Travel Plans, which provide organisations with a framework to engage with all people visiting its sites, typically staff and visitors but will include patients and students where applicable.

Other measures include:-

•     Personalised Travel Planning;
•     Car clubs and car sharing;
•     Alternative working practice

Smart Measures aim to reduce the social, economic and environmental costs associated with the commute to work, as well as business related trips.

Why encourage Smarter Measures?

Recent studies suggest that the rolling out of Smart Measures in the UK could reduce national traffic volumes by seven per cent. This would provide an estimated saving of 0.7 mega-tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2)  in 2020, equivalent to four billion car kilometres, or 13 return trips to the sun!



What's happening Leeds?

Underground in Leeds?

The Leeds City Region Transport Strategy - Delivering Low Carbon Connectivity to Promote Faster Economic Growth was signed off in November 2009. Emissions from road transport account for 22% of the UK’s carbon emissions. The LCR strategy seeks to address this issue with a variety of policies to reduce carbon emissions from transport and improve energy resilience. November outlining the city and regional transport plans for the next 20 - 24 years.

Check out the two docs for key info and examples:

http://www.leedscityregion.gov.uk/uploadedFiles/Research_and_Publications/Transport/2.%20LCRTS%20Executive%20Summary(1).pdf

http://www.leedsinitiative.org/assets/0/544/546/552/558/B190C262-2BD9-4FCE-9757-C21E90C5DC7A.pdf





 

Population Change in Rural Areas

Population change in rural area is influenced by proximity to urban areas and their influence. Remote rural populations in the UK are in decline, whereas accessible rural-urban fringe areas are expanding.

Consequences of decline:

• elderly and socio-economically disadvantaged are polarised
• houses are often bought as second homes leading to ghost-towns
• negative multiplier effect - spiral of decline - deprivation sets in - people become trapped and cannot relocate

Consequences of expansion:

• new build creates housing local people cannot afford
• new famillies have two or more vehicles - increase traffic flow and congestion
• dormitory villages with little or no activity during the day
• conflict between established village community and newcomers
• maintaining village/rural identity becomes an issue

Check out this document for further data and projections on Rural Population Change

http://www.rerc.ac.uk/findings/documents_demography/D9RuralEng_Ch_Projns1991_2028.pdf

Waste Disposal in Nairobi - Kenya

Waste recycling is an important part of the everyday economy in Nairobi. Both formal and informal workers benefit froma wide variety of programmes the majority of which are community based and NGO driven. Summarise the following two schemes which demonstrate the key peinciples of sustainability by thinking globally and acting locally.

http://www.cityfarmer.org/NairobiCompost.html
http://www.pasmand-co.com/main/upload/generalwaste/Managment/29.pdf

Waste Management in the LEDW - The Zabbaleen

The Zabbaleen Environment and Development Program: Cairo

The Concept of Integrated Sustainable Waste Management refers to a waste management system  that best suits the society, economy and environment in a given location, a city in most cases. The concept of ISWM not only takes technical or financial-economic sustainability into account as in conventionally done, but it also includes sociocultural, environmental, institutional and political aspects that influence overall sustainability of waste management. ISWM also stands for a strategic and long-term  approach. Waste management is seen in the ISWM approach as an equity and public health issue, which means that everybody has a right to a regular waste collection and proper sanitation.
 
In the context of ISWM 'sustainable' can be described as:  

• appropriate to the local conditions from a technical, environmental, social,
• economic, financial, institutional, and political perspective, and;
• capable to maintain itself over time without exhausting the resources it needs

 'Integrated' refers to the integration of:

• different aspects of sustainability (technical, environmental/public health financial, etc.)
• different collection and treatment options at different habitat scales, i.e. household, neighbourhood and city level (operational interaction)
• different stakeholders, governmental or non-governmental, formal or informal, profit- or non-profit oriented (co-operation, linkages, alliances, economic and social interaction)
• the waste management system and other urban systems (such as drainage, energy, urban agriculture, etc.)

In Cairo, a partnership formed by local, national, and international organisations has successfully transformed a community through the Zabbaleen Environment and Development program. Since the program began in 1981, quality of life has improved in a formerly neglected community; thousands of jobs have been created as an improved municipal waste collection and recycling system has been implemented. At the intersection of poverty and the environment, the Zabbaleen Environment and Development program fashioned productive solutions.

Greater Cairo generates thousands of tons of solid waste per day. The municipal sanitation force shares management of the waste with a traditional, private-sector collection system run by two poor social groups, the Wahis and the Zabbaleen. With more than a century in Cairo's garbage trade, the Wahis control the collection routes and contracts with homeowners. The Zabbaleen pick up waste and transport it to their settlement on the city's fringe, where it is sorted and recycled, or used for animal fodder.

A community with little or no organization or power, the Zabbaleen enjoyed few basic services when the program began almost 20 years ago, and suffered from environmental devastation, little economic opportunity, lack of education, and a host of other problems endemic to urban slums. The Zabbaleen Environment and Development Program has made significant improvement in this community.

The ZEDP had two primary objectives: to improve the living conditions and build the capacity of the Zabbaleen; and to create a more efficient solid waste management system for Cairo. Today the most visible transformation is the community's physical appearance, resulting from substantial government improvements in community infrastructure. There are now approximately 1,500 houses in the settlement, many of which are multi-story, concrete-block structures, more than double the some 700 one-story shacks in the area in 1981. The number of inhabitants has almost tripled over 12 years, rising from 5,881 in 1981 to 16,600 in 1993.

New infrastructure, clean-up projects and the organization of a composting plant are all ZEDP projects which have helped to improve the overall cleanliness of the settlement. In turn, public health has improved, with infant and child mortality decreasing from 240 per thousand in 1979 to 117 per thousand in 1991.

Health and environmental benefits initiated in the ZEDP have had wider effects in greater Cairo. The Route Extension Project, funded by the NGO, Oxfam, brought 8,000 more homes into the Zabbaleen collection system, helping to create a much cleaner city overall. Recycling programs born of ZEDP have significantly reduced the environmental burden of waste disposal. The ZEDP composting plant mentioned above now produces fertilizer that is free of chemicals and harmful contaminants.

The economic benefits are also numerous. Household income has increased twenty times over the past ten years. Recycling activities and projects created a diversified urban economy and additional income. Women and children have been relieved of the long and arduous process of sorting, and are free to engage in various other income-generating, educational and recreational activities.

The driving vision behind the PEDP, as with the ZEDP in Cairo, is to create a sustainable community for the waste pickers, while simultaneously integrating them into a more effective waste management process for the city.

  

Further information

Cairo Insight - also good info on Traffic Issues here:
http://www.learnquebec.ca/en/content/curriculum/social_sciences/sec_geography/resources/metropolises/cairo.html

Zabbaleen
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A23780270
http://www.geographical.co.uk/Magazine/Zabbaleen_-_May08.html
http://sustainablecities.dk/en/city-projects/cases/cairo-finding-its-own-way-in-waste-collection
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/standard/display/slideshow.php?ftrv_id=64259&slide=1

Interesting articles here on tradition v modern practise in waste management in Cairo
http://www.eldis.org/id21ext/U6wf1g1.html
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2009/969/sc1.htm

Ageing Population - The increasing cost of Social Care

The increasing ageing population in the UK continues to cause problems for those involved in Social Care and Welfare. Recent reports highligh the concerns many have for the future:

Follow this link to the BBC story and then explore the links from this page. You will find some excellent material to support your notes on Ageing Population.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8488219.stm

Future town centre retailing

The Government have set their agenda for town centre retailing in line with the SSP1 objectives. Check this link for further background information.


http://www.bis.gov.uk/local-shops

See other Blog links on Retail - and Out of Town Shopping Centres

Rich and Poor Gap in UK wider than 40 years ago

A report out today highlights the key factors behind the apparent widening gap beteween the rich and the poor sectors of UK scoiety. The gap between rich and poor in the UK is wider now than 40 years ago, a government-commissioned report says.



"Deep-seated and systemic differences" remain between men and women and minority groups in pay and employment, the National Equality Panel found.

It said in areas such as neighbourhood renewal, taxes and education, policy action was needed to limit inequality.

Follow the links below for further information and as A Level studenst you need to be making notes from these two sources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8481534.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/27_01_10_inequality.pdf

Guildford Townscape Assessment

Everything you need to know about the built environment of Guildford.

Follow the link:
http://www.guildford.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9639A6DE-6C24-417C-A55F-5FD73020B11F/0/TownscapeAssessmentMastercopy.pdf

For the Environment Agency Floodmap type Guildford into the search - zoom in and pan around - look at the location of the tow path cycle routes.
http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Links to Schools

Using the Links to Schools Case Studies as a template review the GSAL Travel Plan and write a synopisis of the plan's implementation and impact in terms of cycling:

What improvements were made?

What monitoring took place and how was this carried out?

What were the Benefits?

What were the wider community benefits?

For more background check out the links on the previous Blog (Mon 11), together with the links from the url below:
http://www.schooltravelplans.org/links.asp#5

Guildford Council Response to A Level Enquiries for Geog 4b

Guildford Borough Council have responded to the numerous enquiries they have been receiving by posting the following web page

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Cycling+in+Guildford+Information+for+%27A%27+Level+Students?opendocument

Check out the downloads and follow the hyperlinks - you have had these before from me but everything is in one place now.

Here are some other links to help you:

General Cycling/ Health Websites


NICE- Costing Report- Physical Activity and the Environment

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/PhysicalActivityAndTheEnvironmentCostingReportFinal.pdf


A Sustainable Future for Cycling- Department for Transport

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cyclingfuture.pdf


A Sustainable Future—Engaging Schools in Cycling

http://www.envict.org.au/inform.php?menu=8&submenu=979&item=1959


Sustainable Travel Towns-Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/demonstrationtowns/sustainabletraveldemonstrati5772


Cycling England

http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/


European Cyclists Federation

http://www.ecf.com/3025_1


National Cycle Network- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network


Cycling Demonstration Towns

http://www.celebratingcycling.org/more_info.asp?current_id=119

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_town

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/decision-day-for-english-cycling-demonstration-towns-15405


Bike for All

http://www.bikeforall.net/news.php?articleshow=251


Bike It- Cycling to School- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/bike-it


Connect2

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/connect2


GOAL- Greenways- 2012- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/goal-greenways-for-the-olympics-and-london


International Action on Walking and Cycling

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/international


Links to Schools- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/links-to-schools


Liveable Neighbourhoods- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/liveable-neighbourhoods


Low Carbon Travel- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/low-carbon-travel


Safe Routes to Schools- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/safe-routes-to-schools


TravelSmart- Sustrans

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/travelsmart


Sustainable Schools

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/


Travel wise- Has the Future got Two Wheels?

http://www.travelwise.org.uk/default.asp?p=123


Dedicated Cycling Town Projects

Guildford Cycle Challenge 2009
http://www.charlottevillecc.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=83

Guildford Town and River Walk
http://www.ruralways.org.uk/walking/routes/detail/202


Case Study- Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1148943


Cycling in Brighton and Hove
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1000145


Visit Brighton- Cycling Routes
http://www.visitbrighton.com/site/things-to-do/parks-and-gardens/countryside/cycling-in-and-around-brighton


Brighton and Hove Clarion Cycling Club Forum
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/i.bullock/clarion/cycling.html


Case Study- Darlington- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk/Cycle/demonstration.htm


Case Study- Harrogate- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/immediacy-5365


Case Study- Chester- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://www.chestercyclecity.org/?cat=29
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/cycling/cyclechester.htm
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/press_releases/2009_press_releases/september/chester_cycle_demonstration_to.aspx


Case Study- Woking- Cycling Town
http://www.seco.org.uk/newsevents/news/wokingacyclingdemonstrationtown.html


Case Study- Lancaster- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://www.lancaster-dynamo.org.uk/Januarysummary.pdf
http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/a-to-z/c/cycling-demonstration-town-project/


Case Study- York- Cycling Demonstration Town
http://yorklibdems.org.uk/news/000284/cycling_demonstration_town_bid_success.html
http://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/template.asp?ID=694&parentID=630

Case Study- Cambridge- Cycling Town

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7463179.stm
http://cherryhintonroad.blogspot.com/2008/11/cycling-demonstration-town-improvements.html
http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/80/article10.html

China One Child Policy - Gender Imbalance Issues

The changing population structure of China has once again hit the headlines.

Follow the link below for more background information

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8451289.stm

Follow the See More links from this page - some excellent information for your notes

Happy Snow Day - again!!!

Population Control in the UK!

Population Growth continues to be a major concern across the world and the UK begins to  face its own crisis. Check out these links?

Make notes on the key details and add them to your notes on Optimum Population.

What would the Neo Malthusians make of this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8442662.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8356226.stm