Migration, Employment & Services in London (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

Sequence of Urban Movement

Urbanisation

• London's early function was as a seaport and commercial centre

• Trade attracted not only population growth and profits but also the need for financial service industries

• London grew from three distinct centres

  • The City of London as the centre of trade, commerce and banking

  • Borough of Southwark as the centre of entertainment and hospitality

  • City of Westminster as the centre of power and administration

• In London, the River Thames became central to industry

• Working-class terraced housing was developed along the river, moving eastward from the CBD

• Large, expensive homes in areas such as Kensington and Westminster

Suburbanisation

• A growing population meant building houses on the outskirts (new estates, mainly detached housing)

• London residential land was divided into inner and outer boroughs and ringed by the 'green belt'

• The outer boroughs were the wealthier, more desirable areas and more attractive to families

• Improvements were made in transport linking north and south London over the Thames

• It also allowed people to live further from the city

• Attractive to families

• Smaller shops

• Lower population density

• Areas such as Wimbledon and Tooting 

Counter-urbanisation

• Between 1960 and 1980, the docks closed and manufacturing was lost, particularly in the Lea Valley

• This led to many job losses in inner London and migration out of the city, resulting in a loss of population in inner London and a decline in housing

• Infrastructure and environmental quality became poor 

• High-rise 'council blocks' were associated with disadvantages, and plans were put in place for their removal

Re-urbanisation

• Former industrial land (brownfield sites) is renewed and residential and commercial land replaces the previous land use

• With the cost of commuting, people once again wanted to live close to work with facilities; modern flats and apartments near the docks have been developed

• In 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation redeveloped London’s docklands and East London before the 2012 Olympics

• This increased the number and variety of jobs available in London, making it a desirable place to live

• Canary Wharf is a part of the London Docklands where expensive apartments, exclusive shops and large company head offices are now found

• There are residential development corridors planned along the Thames Gateway and Stansted corridor

National & International Migration in London

• London has been affected by migration in a number of ways

  • Internal migration: people moving in and out of London to or from other areas of the UK

  • International migration of people moving in and out of London to or from other countries 

  • Over 43% of all international migrants go to London

• Significant levels of migration mean that London is one of the most diverse cities in the world

  • Over 300 languages are spoken 

  • Of the population of London, 46% are black or minority ethnic group

  • High levels of international migration mean 41% of people living in London were not born in the UK

• Overall net migration in London means that in 2018–2020, 34,000 more people migrated from London than to London

• The cause of overall decline in population is domestic (internal) migration, with people moving to other areas of the UK

London's inward and outward migration

National migration

• Most migrants are adults aged between 18 and 35 years

• Inward migration tend to be graduates in their 20s from UK universities seeking work and a London lifestyle

• Outward migration is usually older families

National migration into and out of London

International migration

• International migration to London has remained steady since 2010, at about 200,000 people a year

• Recent migrants tend to live in cheaper, rented accommodation

• Clusters of minority ethnic groups sometimes develop as people seek out others who:

  • Speak the same language

  • Have the same culture, traditions, and/or religion

  • Have family or friends living in the area

• Brick Lane is an example of immigration playing a role in changing culture; restaurants, shops selling saris and a mosque are all evidence of this

• These areas often have:

  • Shops and restaurants providing food from the migrant's country of origin

  • Festivals and places of worship which reflect the culture or religion of the migrant's country of origin

    • The Notting Hill Carnival 

    • St Andrew Bobola Church, Hammersmith which serves the Polish community