Settlement » Urban planning and improvements - case studies

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Urban planning approaches and their importance
Urban improvement strategies in different contexts
Case studies of urban planning in HICs (High Income Countries)
Case studies of urban planning in LICs/NEEs (Low Income Countries/Newly Emerging Economies)
Sustainable urban planning principles
Evaluating the success of urban improvement schemes

Urban Planning and Improvements

Cities around the world face different challenges based on their level of development, history and geography. Urban planning helps address these challenges by creating more livable, efficient and sustainable urban environments.

Key Definitions:

Urban Planning: The process of designing and managing the development of urban areas to create functional, sustainable and livable spaces.
Urban Renewal: The process of improving and rehabilitating deteriorated urban areas through redevelopment or modernisation.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Gentrification: The process where wealthier people move into poorer areas, often renovating properties and changing the area's character and raising property values.

🏠 Urban Planning in HICs

In High Income Countries, urban planning often focuses on:

Regeneration of post-industrial areas
Creating sustainable transport systems
Improving quality of life
Addressing housing shortages
Balancing development with heritage preservation

🏢 Urban Planning in LICs/NEEs

In Low Income Countries and Newly Emerging Economies, urban planning often addresses:

Providing basic services to informal settlements
Managing rapid urban growth
Improving sanitation and clean water access
Reducing vulnerability to natural hazards
Creating affordable housing

Case Study: Urban Planning in London (HIC)

London has undergone significant urban planning initiatives to address challenges of a growing global city.

London's Olympic Park Regeneration

The 2012 Olympic Games provided an opportunity to regenerate East London, one of the city's most deprived areas.

🏁 Before

The Lower Lea Valley was a post-industrial area with:

Contaminated brownfield land
Poor housing conditions
High unemployment
Limited infrastructure

🏆 During

The Olympic development included:

£9 billion investment
New sports facilities
Transport improvements
Environmental clean-up

🏡 After

The Olympic legacy has delivered:

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
5,000+ new homes
Westfield Shopping Centre
Improved connectivity

London Olympic Park: Success or Failure?

Successes: Created new housing, jobs and recreational spaces; improved transport links; transformed a polluted industrial area into a green space.

Challenges: Some local residents have been priced out due to gentrification; questions about whether benefits have reached the most deprived communities; high cost of the project.

Case Study: Urban Planning in Mumbai, India (NEE)

Mumbai faces significant challenges with rapid urbanisation, informal settlements and limited infrastructure.

Dharavi Redevelopment Project

Dharavi is one of Asia's largest slums, housing approximately 1 million people in an area of just 2.1 square kilometres.

🚧 The Challenge

Dharavi faces numerous challenges:

Overcrowded living conditions
Limited access to clean water and sanitation
Inadequate healthcare and education facilities
Vulnerability to flooding and disease
Informal economy worth $1 billion annually

🛠 The Redevelopment Plan

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project aims to:

Provide free housing to eligible residents
Develop commercial spaces and infrastructure
Improve water supply and sanitation
Create open spaces and community facilities
Preserve local industries and livelihoods

Dharavi: Challenges of Urban Redevelopment

Controversies: The project has faced delays due to disputes over resident eligibility, concerns about displacement and debates about whether high-rise apartments are appropriate for communities accustomed to ground-level living and working.

Community Response: Many residents worry about losing their livelihoods and community networks. Some community-led initiatives have emerged as alternatives to top-down planning.

Sustainable Urban Planning Principles

Modern urban planning increasingly incorporates sustainability principles to create more resilient and livable cities.

🌿 Environmental

Green spaces and urban forests
Energy-efficient buildings
Sustainable transport systems
Waste reduction and recycling
Climate change adaptation

👪 Social

Affordable housing
Inclusive public spaces
Community facilities
Cultural heritage preservation
Health and wellbeing focus

💰 Economic

Local job creation
Mixed-use development
Support for small businesses
Circular economy principles
Efficient infrastructure

Case Study: Curitiba, Brazil - A Model for Sustainable Urban Planning

Curitiba has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to urban planning despite limited resources.

Key Features of Curitiba's Urban Planning

🚌 Transport System

Curitiba developed a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that:

Uses dedicated bus lanes
Features tube-shaped stations for quick boarding
Carries 2 million passengers daily
Costs much less than building a metro system
Reduces car usage and pollution

🌲 Green Initiatives

The city has implemented numerous environmental programmes:

Expanded green space from 0.5m² to 52m² per person
"Garbage that's not garbage" recycling programme
Flood prevention through creating parks in flood-prone areas
Urban agriculture initiatives
Environmental education centres

Lessons from Curitiba

Curitiba demonstrates that effective urban planning doesn't always require massive financial resources but rather creative thinking and political will. The city's approach shows how integrated planning across transport, waste management, flood control and public spaces can create more livable and sustainable urban environments.

The success factors include:

Long-term vision and consistent implementation
Integration of different urban systems
Focus on low-cost, high-impact solutions
Strong public participation
Adapting solutions to local context

Evaluating Urban Planning Projects

When studying urban planning case studies, it's important to evaluate their success using multiple criteria:

✅ Success Indicators

Improved quality of life for residents
Environmental improvements
Economic benefits and job creation
Reduced inequality and social inclusion
Long-term sustainability
Community satisfaction

❌ Common Challenges

Gentrification and displacement
Insufficient community involvement
Budget overruns and delays
Political changes affecting implementation
Failure to address root causes
Unintended consequences

Exam Tips for Urban Planning Case Studies

When writing about urban planning case studies in your IGCSE Geography exam:

Be specific - use named examples, facts and figures
Show balance - discuss both successes and challenges
Consider different perspectives - how different stakeholders are affected
Make comparisons - between approaches in different contexts (HICs vs LICs/NEEs)
Link to concepts - like sustainability, equity and quality of life
Evaluate - don't just describe the projects but assess their effectiveness

Final Thoughts

Urban planning is not just about physical infrastructure but about creating places where people can thrive. The most successful urban planning approaches consider environmental sustainability, social equity and economic opportunity while respecting local cultures and involving communities in decision-making processes.

As cities continue to grow, especially in LICs and NEEs, effective urban planning becomes increasingly important for creating sustainable, resilient and livable urban environments for all residents.