Rural area = an area with a population of less than 10,000 people , with areas of land that haven’t been
developed on (eg/ countryside)
○ 19% of UK population still live in rural areas
● Population of rural areas are growing due to counter-urbanisation
○ Counter urbanisation = movement out of cities , and back into the countryside for better QOL
■ Occurs in HICs due to:
● Noise
● Pollution
● Expensive land
● More space
● Better environments
● Lower crime rates
○ Population of urban areas are still growing faster , due to immigration and natural increase
The greenbelt:
● Greenbelt = green open space around cities in which further building development isn’t allowed
○ Prevents urban development in the countryside → size of cities cannot continue to grow
● Issue of housing shortage in the UK → puts pressure on government to allow building on the greenbelt
Rural population growth:
● Rural areas that are close to major centres of population (eg/ towns, cities) have experienced population
growth
○ Accessible rural = rural area that is well connected to cities via roads/transport links
● Accessible rural allows for counter-urbanisation
○ People move to rural from cities for a better QOL
○ But can still commute to cities for their jobs
● Sparsely populated rural areas have also experienced population growth
○ Popular with tourists and second home owners
○ Particularly national parks
■ eg/ Lake District
● High demand to live in both greenbelt and national park areas (for better QOL )
○ As a result:
■ Has caused an increase in house prices
■ Makes homes for local people unaffordable
■ Local people forced to move away to find affordable homes elsewhere
CASE STUDY: The village of Hurstpierpoint (West Sussex)
● Population = 7,112 people
● Looks attractive → contemporary houses
● Well connected and has quick access to city (London) with good transport links
○ 50 minute journey
● Many services
● Affordable housing (£500, 000)
● People are wealthy, middle-class families
● Mobile network improvements → no need to travel to people/places
● Broadband is faster in 97% of the UK → gives ability to work from home
○ No need to travel into the city every day