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Counter Urbanisation in the UK
Mawsley Village, Northampton (est 2002)
Counter-urbanisation
This is the migration of people from urban to rural areas, mainly in MEDCs.
Why are people moving out of the cities like Leicester?
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Poor quality housing. 7.5% of housing is below basic standard for human habitation in urban areas
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Air, visual and noise pollution caused by overcrowding, industry and traffic
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Congestion on roads
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Fear of crime
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Higher levels of unemployment
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What attracts them to villages like Mawsley?
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Clean environment
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People able to live away from work due to improvements in technology.
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New, larger housing with good connections to motorway network.
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Lower density housing, so more space around each home.
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Lower crime rates and a feeling of security and community spirit.
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What is the effect of counter-urbanisation on the cities?
•· Lots of houses go on sale. As a result, House prices fall. This means that lower income families move in or houses are left empty leading to vandalism and rise in crime.
•· Shops and services have fewer customers. Consequently they lose money. As a result, shops close and unemployment increases.
•· Businesses lose their best workers. This leads to businesses moving away. As a result, unemployment increases.
What is Mawsley village like?
•· 750 houses
•· 17 workshop units for employment
•· 1 shop
•· 1 church
•· 1 Primary school
•· Located approximately 4 km south-west of Kettering, with easy access to the A14 and M1 to London and the Midlands. Journey time by train from Kettering to London is 1 hour.
What are the ‘costs' of the new village?
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Air pollution from traffic emissions can affect wildlife habitats
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Water pollution as the village is 300m from an SSSI. Polluted water could affect habitats of owls and foxes
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Noise pollution from construction and traffic
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Visual pollution. Some will see the development as an eyesore
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Some people are concerned as the A43 is already a busy road. More traffic could cause congestion
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D.Drake 2008
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