Cities - Re-urbanisation

Re-urbanisation is the movement of people back into an urban area.

Causes

• Redevelopments on brownfield sites with high quality housing
• Lots of universities are in cities so in brings in young people
• Young single people want to live close to work - can lead to gentrification
• Counter-urbanistaion may cause high house prices in rural areas pushing people out
• Rural areas may be too boring e.g. lacking nightlife 

Effects

Positive

• New shops and services open
• Jobs created from businesses opening
• Tourism can increase in the area
• Local schools can benefit from the increased number of students

Negative

• Original residents may not be able to afford homes as house prices increase
• Jobs may be unskilled and low pay
• Shops may cater to newer, wealthier residents rather than the original ones so they'll have to go elsewhere

Case study - London Docklands

• Enterprise zone (where taxes are lowered and planning restrictions are relaxed) was set up.
• By 1998, 2700 businesses were trading on the docks and attracted £7.7bn in investment.
• 24,000 new homes were built
• DLR connected central London with the docks
• Sailing and watersports centre built
• New schools and colleges built