AO1 – Knowledge and understanding of urban drainage – urban precipitation, storage and catchment characteristics, urban water cycle, movement of water through urban areas. Knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities in developing more sustainable cities.

AO2 – Application of knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate the extent to which urban drainage presents challenges to sustainable cities. Application of knowledge and understanding to analyse and evaluate the extent to which urban drainage presents opportunities to develop more sustainable cities.

Notes for answers

The question links various aspects of the Contemporary urban environments section of the specification, specifically urban drainage and the challenges and opportunities for developing more sustainable cities. There is no requirement to include specific examples and detail could be included through concepts such as urban catchments as well as place - specific examples.

AO1

Knowledge and understanding of urban drainage and how it is different from drainage in rural areas.
Knowledge and understanding of urban precipitation and water movement through the catchment. Higher proportion of precipitation reaching urban river channels and the reduced lag time. The subsequent increase in flood risk. Lack of seasonal variations. Decrease in the base or normal flow of the river
Knowledge of storm hydrographs for urban areas.
Knowledge and understanding of the urban water cycle, for example interruption to the water cycle in urban areas through human activities such as uses in industry.
Impacts on catchment management – flood management, water pollution, sediment accretion from erosion.
Knowledge and understanding on the challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable cities. They may consider economic, social and environmental challenges / opportunities in developing sustainable cities.
Case-study knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in developing sustainable cities for example Copenhagen, Curitiba or Freiburg.

AO2

Assessment of the link between urban drainage and sustainability on an economic, social or environmental level.
Evaluation of the link between urban drainage and the challenges in developing sustainable cities, for example increased flood risk, diverts money from sustainable strategies and frequently means that large- scale flood management schemes have to be employed that significantly impact on environmental sustainability. The impact of flood risk on the concept of liveability.
Evaluation of the impact of urban catchment and storage on sustainability. Construction of channelised rivers reduces the flood risk but also has a significant impact on natural habitats. For example, the Los Angeles River is almost entirely concreted with very few natural areas.
The extent to which past urban processes such as industrialisation have impacted on urban drainage may be considered and the resulting challenges. For example, the Sheffield and Tinsley canal fell into disuse following construction of the railway and then even more so following deindustrialisation. This resulted in water contamination and is a challenge to sustainability.
The extent to which issues associated with urban drainage can be managed through strategies to such as SuDS. For example the lag time can be increased by construction of green roofs and the creation of detention basins.
Evaluation of schemes such as SuDs in creating opportunities for sustainable urban areas. For example, at Lamb Drove biodiversity and ecology has increased as a result of SuDS and this has also reduced flood risk improving quality of life and social sustainability.
Evaluation of how attempts to improve urban drainage through schemes such as river restoration might create opportunities for sustainability. For example, the River Don in Sheffield has been restored creating the Blue Loop, this has rejuvenated the area for cyclists and runners increasing liveability and it has also encouraged biodiversity by restoring natural ecosystems. Thereby providing opportunities for both social and environmental sustainability.
Some students may assess the role of sustainable cities in managing urban drainage. This would be a legitimate response as long as it is linked to the question ie that actually it is the need for sustainable strategies that is impacting on urban drainage. For example Freiburg’s sustainability drive has resulted in much of the River Dreisam being unmanaged and subsequent water movement is more natural. Rainwater harvesting is widely employed to protect ground water storage supplies in the city.
They may also consider alternative futures. Increased precipitation and storm events may make managing urban drainage increasingly challenging. This will have significant impacts on developing more sustainable cities. However, pressure from urban dwellers demanding sustainable strategies may increase the spending on flood risk and recreational areas so improving management of urban drainage.
An overall judgement of the extent to which urban drainage provides more opportunities than challenges should be addressed. Any conclusion is valid as long as it is supported by the evidence in the response.

Credit any other valid approach.

Level 4 (16–20 marks)

Detailed evaluative conclusion that is rational and firmly based on knowledge and understanding which is applied to the context of the question (AO2).
Detailed, coherent and relevant analysis and evaluation in the application of knowledge and understanding throughout (AO2).
Full evidence of links between knowledge and understanding to the application of knowledge and understanding in different contexts (AO2).
Detailed, highly relevant and appropriate knowledge and understanding of place(s) and environments used throughout (AO1).
Full and accurate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes throughout (AO1).
Detailed awareness of scale and temporal change which is well integrated where appropriate (AO1).

Urban Drainage (AQA A Level Geography)

Topic Questions