AQA · A-Level · Geography
Course version: 7037 · Version from Sept 2018
Strategies to manage these environmental problems.
Full specification wording
Other contemporary urban environmental issues: Strategies to manage these environmental problems.
Urban environmental problems require targeted management.
Checked against the AQA 7037 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Urban environmental problems require targeted management. Cities can reduce atmospheric pollution through clean-air or low-emission zones, congestion charging, cleaner public transport, emission standards and land-use planning that lowers traffic exposure. Water-pollution strategies include separating or upgrading sewers, improving wastewater treatment, regulating industrial effluent, intercepting contaminated runoff and using sustainable drainage where it reduces polluted surface flows. Dereliction can be addressed through surveying and remediating contaminated brownfield land, reusing buildings, improving public space and using planning or financial incentives to attract suitable redevelopment. Each strategy should be evaluated for effectiveness, cost, equity, enforcement and possible displacement of pollution or deprivation.
What earns the marks
- Identify specific strategies used to manage atmospheric pollution, such as low-emission zones, emission controls, pedestrianisation or improved public transport.
- Explain how urban water pollution can be reduced through effluent regulation, sewer and treatment upgrades, runoff management and suitable drainage measures.
- Evaluate how brownfield remediation, building reuse and regeneration can reduce dereliction while considering cost, contamination and displacement.
- Assess named strategies using evidence of environmental outcomes alongside economic cost, enforcement and social equity.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Discussing environmental problems without detailing the specific management strategies.
Put it right: Ensure the focus remains on the solutions and their implementation.
Confusing global environmental strategies with local urban ones.
Put it right: Focus on city-scale interventions like congestion charges rather than international climate treaties.
Failing to evaluate the strategies.
Put it right: Consider the limitations, costs, or varying success rates of management schemes in different urban contexts.
Exam tips
- Use specific, named examples of cities when discussing management strategies to add depth and spatial context to your answers.
- Categorise strategies into legislation, technological fixes, and behavioural changes to structure your evaluation effectively.
- Consider the economic and social costs of environmental strategies, such as the financial burden of emission zones on low-income residents.
Try the lesson
The start of the Other contemporary urban environmental issues: Strategies to manage these environmental problems. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following is a direct strategy used by city authorities to manage the environmental problem of urban air pollution?
Listen
Urban environmental problems require targeted management. Cities can reduce atmospheric pollution through clean-air or low-emission zones, congestion charging, cleaner public transport, emission standards and land-use planning that lowers traffic exposure. Water-pollution strategies include separating or upgrading sewers, improving wastewater treatment, regulating industrial effluent, intercepting contaminated runoff and using sustainable drainage where it reduces polluted surface flows. Dereliction can be addressed through surveying and remediating contaminated brownfield land, reusing buildings, improving public space and using planning or financial incentives to attract suitable redevelopment. Each strategy should be evaluated for effectiveness, cost, equity, enforcement and possible displacement of pollution or deprivation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify specific strategies used to manage atmospheric pollution, such as low-emission zones, emission controls, pedestrianisation or improved public transport. Explain how urban water pollution can be reduced through effluent regulation, sewer and treatment upgrades, runoff management and suitable drainage measures. Evaluate how brownfield remediation, building reuse and regeneration can reduce dereliction while considering cost, contamination and displacement. Assess named strategies using evidence of environmental outcomes alongside economic cost, enforcement and social equity. Exam tip: Use specific, named examples of cities when discussing management strategies to add depth and spatial context to your answers.
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