SCSA Geography Geographical Knowledge and Understanding
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
From the list below, explain how two of these challenges affect Australian metropolitan or regional centres.
- Housing
- Economic restructuring
- Employment
- Transportation
- Congestion
- Environmental degradation
- Waste management
- Personal safety
- Land abandonment
- Urban sprawl
- Socio-spatial inequality
- Social inclusion and exclusion
- Changing demographics
Reveal Answer
Challenge 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. Clearly demonstrates cause and effect or a clear relationship between the challenge and its effect on these places. Uses appropriate examples. | 3 |
Describes how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. Demonstrates a clear relationship between the challenge and its effect on these places. May use some examples. | 2 |
States how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. May attempt to demonstrate a relationship between the challenge and its effect. Limited or no reference is made to examples. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Challenge 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. Clearly demonstrates cause and effect or a clear relationship between the challenge and its effect on these places. Uses appropriate examples. | 3 |
Describes how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. Demonstrates a clear relationship between the challenge and its effect on these places. May use some examples. | 2 |
States how the challenge affects Australian metropolitan or regional centres. May attempt to demonstrate a relationship between the challenge and its effect. Limited or no reference is made to examples. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe two demographic characteristics of a megacity you have studied.
Reveal Answer
Characteristics include qualities such as:
- age – Manhattan borough has a median age of 38, while the Bronx has a median age of 35. Manhattan borough has a lower rate (9%) of 0–9-year-olds compared to the Bronx borough 14%.
- Income – Manhattan borough has a higher income US＄79k per capita compared to outer boroughs such as Queens which as a US＄34k per capita income.
- Race/ ethnicity – Staten Island borough has a 60% white population compared to the Bronx brough (9%).
Characteristic 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes in detail the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 4 |
Describes the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Uses a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 3 |
Identifies the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Uses limited evidence and examples to support statements and generalisations. Limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 2 |
Provides a generalised statement about the characteristic in a megacity. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. Information might be in dot point form. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Characteristic 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes in detail the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 4 |
Describes the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Uses a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 3 |
Identifies the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in a megacity. Uses limited evidence and examples to support statements and generalisations. Limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 2 |
Provides a generalised statement about the characteristic in a megacity. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. Information might be in dot point form. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Select one significant challenge facing either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia and discuss how two planning strategies are being, or have been, used to address the challenge.
Reveal Answer
Strategy 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Discusses the positive and/or negative factors which pertain to the planning strategy. Accurately relates how the strategy aims to address the challenge. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the discussion. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Explains how the program aims to address the challenge. Uses some supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
States some general information pertaining to the planning strategy. Provides little evidence of the relationship between the strategy and the challenge. Limited evidence is used to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Strategy 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Discusses the positive and/or negative factors which pertain to the planning strategy. Accurately relates how the strategy aims to address the challenge. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the discussion. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Explains how the program aims to address the challenge. Uses some supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
States some general information pertaining to the planning strategy. Provides little evidence of the relationship between the strategy and the challenge. Limited evidence is used to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe two demographic characteristics of either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia.
Reveal Answer
Characteristics include highest/lowest and/or max/min (i.e. range) such as:
- age – Inner suburbs typically have an older population compared to newer suburbs in outer areas e.g. City of South Perth has a median age of 37 compared to City of Wanneroo has a median age of 33. City of Perth has a lower rate (5.2%) of 0–14-year old’s compared to City of Cockburn which in comparison has a rate 20%
- gender – inner suburban areas often have a higher ratio of females to males compared to outer suburban areas, e.g. Como (53.5%) and Attadale (53.1%) have a higher ratio of females compared to the City of Armadale (50.3%).
Demographic Characteristic 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes in detail the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 4 |
Describes the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Uses a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 3 |
Identifies the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Uses limited evidence and examples to support statements and generalisations. Limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 2 |
Provides a generalised statement about the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. Information might be in dot point form. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Demographic Characteristic 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes in detail the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 4 |
Describes the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Uses a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 3 |
Identifies the patterns exhibited by the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Uses limited evidence and examples to support statements and generalisations. Limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 2 |
Provides a generalised statement about the characteristic in metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. Information might be in dot point form. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Select one significant challenge facing a megacity and discuss how two planning strategies are being, or have been, used to address the challenge.
Reveal Answer
Strategy 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Discusses the positive and/or negative factors which pertain to the planning strategy. Accurately relates how the strategy aims to address the challenge. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the discussion. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Explains how the program aims to address the challenge. Uses some supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
States some general information pertaining to the planning strategy. Provides little evidence of the relationship between the strategy and the challenge. Limited evidence is used to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Strategy 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Discusses the positive and/or negative factors which pertain to the planning strategy. Accurately relates how the strategy aims to address the challenge. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the discussion. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Explains how the program aims to address the challenge. Uses some supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
States some general information pertaining to the planning strategy. Provides little evidence of the relationship between the strategy and the challenge. Limited evidence is used to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Invasion and succession is best defined as
the grouping together of different or related land use functions that benefit from each other.
a land use establishing in an area to become the dominant land use in that area.
the tendency of an activity to remain in a location when it is no longer economically viable.
the low-density outward growth of urban areas into the surrounding rural lands.
Reveal Answer
the grouping together of different or related land use functions that benefit from each other.
This defines agglomeration, which is the clustering of related businesses or land uses together for mutual economic benefit.
a land use establishing in an area to become the dominant land use in that area.
Invasion and succession is an urban ecology concept describing the process where a new land use or demographic group enters an area (invasion) and eventually replaces the existing one to become dominant (succession).
the tendency of an activity to remain in a location when it is no longer economically viable.
This describes spatial inertia, which is the tendency of a land use or business to stay in its original location even after the original advantages of that location have disappeared.
the low-density outward growth of urban areas into the surrounding rural lands.
This is the definition of urban sprawl, which involves the outward, low-density expansion of a city into surrounding rural areas.
Describe two demographic characteristics of either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Demographics include age, gender, socioeconomic and cultural distribution patterns.
Characteristics include highest/lowest and/or maximum/minimum (i.e. range) such as:
Age:
- Greater Perth has an average age of 37 which is 1 year younger than the Western Australian average
- a higher proportion of the older population live in suburbs in the Established Residential Zone. For example, in Claremont, the average age is 43 (compared to the Greater Perth average of 37) and people over the age of 65 make up 25% of the population in that suburb
- a higher proportion of the younger population live in suburbs in the Newer Growth Zones. For example, in Piara Waters, the average age is 31, which is lower than the Greater Perth average, and people over the age of 65 make up 4.3% of the population in that suburb.
Gender:
- Greater Perth has a 49.4% male and 50.6% female which is within 0.3% of Western Australia’s ratio
- gender disparity is also evident in the established residential zone, where females tend to outnumber males. For example, in Peppermint Grove, females make up 57% of the population
- gender disparity also occurs in inner cities such as Northbridge which has a higher proportion of males (55.9%) compared to females.
Demographic Characteristic 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 4 |
Describes one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 3 |
Outlines one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Demographic Characteristic 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 4 |
Describes one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 3 |
Outlines one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about one demographic characteristic in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Explain the causes and impacts of a significant challenge facing a megacity you have studied.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Only accept the following challenges:
- housing
- economic restructuring
- employment
- transportation
- environmental degradation
- waste management
- land abandonment
- urban sprawl
- socio-spatial inequality
- social exclusions
- water supply.
Housing:
Causes
- income inequality due to high demand for quality housing and exclusionary neighbourhoods
- rent burden due to difficulty in finding affordable rental housing
- inflationary pressure on household expenditure
- taxes and rising property values
- high construction costs
- residential dwellings being converted to holiday accommodation for tourists and empty investment properties.
Impacts
- rent-burden and financial strain on households
- overcrowding of accommodation and homelessness
- foreclosures, eviction
- multi-generational households
- job loss, domestic violence and poor housing conditions
- greater socio-spatial inequities and marginalisation of elderly, sick and immigrants
- imbalance between residential and employment locations.
Transport:
Causes
- aging infrastructure – old roads, bridges and subway systems; lack of provision/quality of accessible public transport
- housing growth on the periphery (rural-urban fringe)
- increasing cost of housing in central areas has increased car-dependency, congestion and usage of road systems
- increase in delivery and commercial vehicles compounds traffic congestion and gridlocking of traffic, and adds to parking demand
- influx of people commuting into city centres – workers, tourists, students, hospital patients, day-trippers
- topography and site limitations, i.e. number of access points to a city
- increasing population size/location of employment and workers
- lack of provision/quality of accessible public transport or inadequate road links into central areas.
Impacts
- increase in traffic congestion, loss of productivity, delays, decrease in fuel efficiency, increase in running costs
- increases in business operating costs
- increasing expenses in petrol and on-going maintenance
- increase in accidents involving commuters, cyclists and pedestrians
- increase in air pollution and health related illnesses
- congested public transport systems
- social, emotional, economic toll on commuters.
Economic restructuring:
Causes
- globalisation
- centrifugal forces and decentralisation of some industries/manufacturing functions
- urban sprawl, suburbanisation and newly developed suburbs.
Impacts
- income disparity
- environmental impacts such as water, soil and land pollution
- increases in crime, vandalism, social unrest, socio-spatial inequities and blighted/unappealing sites
- cost to remediate contaminated brownfield sites and opportunities for redevelopment.
Causes
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the causes of a challenge facing a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the causes of a challenge facing a megacity. Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the causes of a challenge facing a megacity. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Impacts
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the impacts of a challenge facing a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the impacts of a challenge facing a megacity. Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the impacts of a challenge facing a megacity. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe two demographic characteristics of a megacity you have studied.
Reveal Answer
Demographics include age, gender, socioeconomic and cultural distribution patterns.
Characteristics include highest/lowest and/or maximum/minimum (i.e. range) such as:
Socioeconomic:
- New York City has a slightly higher income of ＄50 764 when compared to New York State which has an average income of ＄48 847
- there are higher levels of education in Manhattan, compared to boroughs outside of Manhattan, especially the Bronx and Queens. For example: 22% of people over the age of 25 in the Bronx have attained a university qualification, compared to 62% in Manhattan
- there is income disparity, for example the average income in Jersey is ＄58 216 compared to Manhattan which has an average income of ＄94 654
- poverty is generally more prevalent in the outer suburbs. For example, 27.9% of the population in the Bronx live below the poverty line, while overall in New York City, it is 14.2%.
Cultural:
- New York City has a larger ratio of Hispanic Asian and Black people (63%) when compared to New York State which has 42% for the same ethnic groups
- there is a higher proportion (74%) of Hispanic/Latino population in the Bronx compared to 22% or less across most of lower Manhattan and Staten Island
- there is a difference in immigration patterns with a higher proportion (36.2%) of the Bronx population being born overseas while Staten Island has 25.5% and Manhattan 39% of the population being born overseas
- 46% of the adult population in the Bronx speak Spanish and 41% speak English at home, while 62% speak English and 19% speak Spanish in Manhattan.
Demographic Characteristic 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 4 |
Describes one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 3 |
Outlines one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Demographic Characteristic 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 4 |
Describes one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 3 |
Outlines one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about one demographic characteristic in a megacity. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Explain the causes and impacts of a significant challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia.
Reveal Answer
Only accept the following challenges:
- housing
- economic restructuring
- employment
- transportation
- environmental degradation
- waste management
- land abandonment
- urban sprawl
- socio-spatial inequality
- social exclusions
- water supply.
Waste Management:
Causes
- population growth
- economic growth such as increased GDP and household income leads to a ‘make, use, dispose’ mindset
- volumes of waste generated by construction, demolition, industrial processes, food manufacturing and households
- unsustained improvements in the capacity to treat, recycle or dispose of waste materials
- poor education and understanding on how to recycle causes recyclable materials to end up in landfill
- lack of waste processing facilities and a dependence on landfill
- lack of alternative international markets.
Impacts
- leakage (leachate) of toxic chemicals; contamination of groundwater, soils or surface waters
- economic cost to local governments to manage illegal waste disposal, management of landfill sites
- waste levies for households
- traffic noise and congestion from waste disposal vehicles
- odours from waste management sites, and vehicles attract feral animals and pests and can negatively influence real estate prices.
Urban sprawl:
Causes
- growth of population
- urban planning
- land use segregation and associated parking policies
- urban boundary leapfrogging and transport infrastructure expansion
- availability of land on outer boundaries and fringes of urban areas
- car ownership
- Australian dream of owning a home
- housing affordability and government/developer incentives.
Impacts
- clearing of bushland and the subsequent fragmentation of habitats and the threat to fragile ecological communities
- land use conflicts
- cost to governments, businesses and-taxpayers for the construction and maintenance of extensive infrastructure assets
- delay in the provision of urban amenities and the negative social and financial impacts on residents that are required to travel
- creates car dependency which promotes car orientated development and reinforces public attitudes towards car ownership and use.
Water Supply:
Causes
- population growth increasing demand for fresh water supplies and water infrastructure
- declining rainfall and changing rainfall patterns over the past 100 years
- ineffective above ground reservoir systems due to less surface priming and runoff into dams
- increased water demand for agricultural irrigation systems.
Impacts
- a reduction in ground water sources due to a reduction in aquifer recharge
- decline in aquifer water quality due to lower water levels and reduced protection against saltwater intrusion
- cost of water supply and the use of a tiered pricing system is required to recover increasing water supply infrastructure costs, such as desalination plants, and sewerage costs
- increasing prices impacting disposable incomes for individuals and families
- water sprinkler bans and programs require a change of behaviour and attitude about the use of water. For example, hydro-zoning in community parks.
Causes
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the causes of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the causes of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the causes of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Impacts
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the impacts of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the explanation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the impacts of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the description. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a response | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the impacts of a challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia. Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts in a largely unstructured response | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Explain why two of the following each present a challenge to places located outside major cities in Australia. Use one example to support each answer.
• population loss
• economic restructuring
• employment
• housing
• service and water provision
• concentrations of socially vulnerable populations
• social exclusion
• transportation
• resource degradation
• land use conflicts
• declining political influence
• isolation and remoteness
• fly-in/fly-out work patterns
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
For economic restructuring:
- housing shortage due to demands
- lower revenue base for local development
- unemployment/underemployment
- adaptive capacity of population.
For land use conflicts:
- incompatibility between agricultural and residential activities, e.g. spraying chemical adjacent to recreational areas
- loss of visual amenity
- impact on natural vegetation from population and/or urban growth
- residential land uses competing for prime agricultural land.
For declining political influence:
- reduced political voice due to population loss within an area
- reduced access to representatives due to increasing size of electorates
- unabated global forces damaging regional areas
- decline in agriculture workforce and an increase in service economies and population in cities.
Challenge 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses a relevant example to support the explanation | 3 |
Describes the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses a general example | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses no example | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Challenge 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses a relevant example to support the explanation | 3 |
Describes the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses a general example | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about the challenge to places located outside of major cities in Australia. Uses no example | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe the internal and external morphology of a megacity.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Internal morphology refers to functional land uses and processes which create the outer boundary of an urban area.
For internal morphology:
- Central business districts
- Outer business districts
- Inner mixed zones
- Residential zones
- Special purpose zones
- Light industrial/manufacturing
- Heavy industrial/manufacturing
- Rural urban fringe.
External morphology refers to the outer boundary or shape of an urban area.
For external morphology:
- shape – multinuclei, irregular, regular, linear or stellate
- size or extent between boundaries
- area measured in km² or hectares, compact or sprawled
- central cores and outer nodes, high or low density
- outer boundaries interaction with other land uses.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes the internal and external morphology of a megacity Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 8 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 6-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 8-mark band. | 7 |
Describes briefly the internal and external morphology of a megacity Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Outlines the internal and/or external morphology of a megacity Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the internal or external morphology of a megacity Limited evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Evaluate the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Liveability refers to the quality of space and the built environment. The concept of liveability has been linked to a range of factors; for example, quality of life, health, sense of safety, access to services, cost of living, comfortable living standards, mobility and transport, air quality and social participation.
Only accept one of the following challenges:
- housing
- economic restructuring
- employment
- transportation
- environmental degradation
- waste management
- land abandonment
- urban sprawl
- socio-spatial inequality
- social exclusions
- water supply.
Transportation:
- active transport strategies promote active travel which increases the health outcomes for residents of an area
- public transport strategies can provide equitable and inclusive access to employment, education, health services and facilities
- active transport and public transport strategies can reduce local emissions and noise which may improve the quality of the local environment
- active transport and public transport strategies may reduce the economic burden of owning, maintaining and driving a car.
Land abandonment:
- reuse/repurposing may increase social interactions and revitalisation of an area
- reuse/repurposing may strengthen civic functions of an area
- community led cooperative action may lead to increases in relevant services and community enterprise
- land use planning led gentrification may reduce crime but displace existing communities.
Water supply:
- water reuse strategies may be used to enhance the amenity of an area
- water supply strategies may provide a stimulus for economic activity and subsequently create local employment opportunities
- water sensitive urban design strategies may contribute to positive interaction with sustainable natural environments
- water management strategies may provide opportunities for recreation and sport activities.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Evaluates the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the evaluation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 12 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 10-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 12-mark band. | 11 |
Evaluates briefly the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the evaluation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 10 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 8-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 10-mark band. | 9 |
Explains the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the explanation. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 8 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 6-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 8-mark band. | 7 |
Explains briefly the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the explanation. The use of some relevant geographical terminology and concepts help to develop a mostly articulate answer. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents limited evidence and/or generalised examples to support the description. There is limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia, has or will enhance the place's liveability Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe the views of two stakeholder groups related to one challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Stakeholder groups can include political parties, government departments/agencies, community organisations, industry groups, and interest groups who hold a view and are affected by the challenge. They include groups who may contribute to the decision making and planning process.
Only accept one of the following challenges:
- housing
- economic restructuring
- employment
- transportation
- environmental degradation
- waste management
- land abandonment
- urban sprawl
- socio-spatial inequality
- social exclusions
- water supply.
Housing strategies stakeholder groups:
- charity/religious organisations working in the housing/shelter sector
- housing and homelessness government agencies
- not for profit affordable housing providers
- building industry associations.
Urban sprawl stakeholder groups:
- local and state governments
- transport operators/authorities
- land developers
- major environmental advocate groups.
Water supply stakeholder groups:
- water regulators
- local and state governments
- industry associations and representatives
- land developers.
Stakeholder Group 1
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response | 4 |
Describes briefly the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 3 |
Outlines the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Limited evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Stakeholder Group 2
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response | 4 |
Describes briefly the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the description. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response | 3 |
Outlines the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the outline. Uses some relevant geographical terminology and concepts | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about the views of a stakeholder group related to a challenge for either metropolitan Perth or a regional urban centre in Western Australia Limited evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Evaluate the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Liveability refers to the quality of space and the built environment. The concept of liveability has been linked to a range of factors; for example, quality of life, health, sense of safety, access to services, cost of living, comfortable living standards, mobility and transport, air quality and social participation.
Only accept one of the following challenges:
- housing
- economic restructuring
- employment
- transportation
- environmental degradation
- waste management
- land abandonment
- urban sprawl
- socio-spatial inequality
- social exclusions
- water supply.
Transportation:
- active transport strategies promote active travel which increases the health outcomes for residents of an area
- public transport strategies can provide equitable and inclusive access to employment, education, health services and facilities
- active transport and public transport strategies can reduce local emissions and noise which may improve the quality of the local environment
- active transport and public transport strategies may reduce the economic burden of owning, maintaining and driving a car.
Land abandonment:
- reuse/repurposing may increase social interactions and revitalisation of an area
- reuse/repurposing may strengthen civic functions of an area
- community led cooperative action may lead to increases in relevant services and community enterprise
- land use planning led gentrification may reduce crime but displace existing communities.
Water supply:
- water reuse strategies may be used to enhance the amenity of an area
- water supply strategies may provide a stimulus for economic activity and subsequently create local employment opportunities
- water sensitive urban design strategies may contribute to positive interaction with sustainable natural environments
- water management strategies may provide opportunities for recreation and sport activities.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Evaluates the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity has, or will enhance the place's liveability Presents a wide range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the evaluation. Applies accurate and relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive and concise response. | 12 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 10-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 12-mark band. | 11 |
Evaluates briefly the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents a range of appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop and strengthen the evaluation. Applies relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 10 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 8-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 10-mark band. | 9 |
Explains the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents some appropriate supporting evidence and examples to develop the explanation. Uses relevant geographical terminology and concepts to develop a cohesive response. | 8 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 6-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 8-mark band. | 7 |
Explains briefly the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents some relevant evidence and examples to support the explanation. The use of some relevant geographical terminology and concepts help to develop a mostly articulate answer. | 6 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 4-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 6-mark band. | 5 |
Describes the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability Presents limited evidence and/or generalised examples to support the description. There is limited use of geographical terminology and concepts. | 4 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 2-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 4-mark band. | 3 |
Makes generalised statements about the extent to which one planning strategy used to address one challenge in a megacity, has or will enhance the place's liveability Limited or no evidence to support statements and generalisations. Limited or no use of geographical terminology and concepts, in a largely unstructured response. | 2 |
The student response meets all criteria of the 0-mark band, and additionally meets the majority of criteria in the 2-mark band. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Describe one economic and one environmental factor that have contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and rural places in Australia.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Economic factors:
- colonies established themselves as distribution points with port infrastructure which enabled them to become the focus of import and export activities
- as primary centres, cities attracted a high number of functions reinforcing their regional dominance
- road and rail development focused on developing major cities and larger regional centres which became service centres for regional activities such as mining and agriculture
- smaller rural towns were developed as service centres along rail lines approximately 40 km apart
- discovery of mineral deposits lead to the development of towns in remote locations at, or near the location of the mineral deposits with road and rail infrastructure developed to accommodate export activities.
Environmental factors:
- temperate climates in the southern region of Australia led to the development of seasonal agriculture, and subsequently the location of many rural towns in the south
- loamy soil types in coastal plains appropriate for cereal crops are located in the southern region of Australia and led to the development of farming towns being approximately 40 km apart
- grasslands and tropical savanna in the north of Australia contain grasslands with a low carrying capacity for cattle leading to towns being further apart than in the south
- temperature and rainfall patterns led to the inland regions being uninhabitable and unsuitable for agriculture, consequently towns and communities are sparsely located, while towns located closer to the coast are larger and more densely located.
Economic factor
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes an economic factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and rural places in Australia | 3 |
Describes briefly an economic factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and rural places in Australia | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about an economic factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and/or rural places in Australia | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Environmental factor
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Describes an environmental factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and rural places in Australia | 3 |
Describes briefly an environmental factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and rural places in Australia | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about an environmental factor that has contributed to the spatial distribution of urban and/or rural places in Australia | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Outline one example of the environmental interdependence of urban and rural places.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Environmental interdependence examples:
- rural places provide urban places with most ecosystem provisioning services such as water, while urban areas provide the policy and management framework to protect these ecosystem services for both rural and urban populations
- significant environmental areas such as national parks, conservation areas and reserves are often located in rural areas where rural populations become the custodians. Urban places provide the administration so that they can be effectively managed, and the financial base required to protect the integrity and viability of these areas for urban populations to visit.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Outlines an example of environmental interdependence between urban and rural places and clearly demonstrates the two-way relationship | 3 |
Outlines briefly an example of environmental interdependence between urban and rural places and implies the two-way relationship | 2 |
Identifies an example of environmental dependence between urban and rural places | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Land use competition is characterised by
competitiveness between cities that encourages the development of high-quality urban infrastructure, attracting financial capital and creating business opportunities and competition.
resistance to the movement of land use functions to new locations; instead, decisions are made to keep them where they are located.
the movement of people, flows of trade and investment, the purchase of goods and services, and cultural influences that create an advantage to either urban or rural places.
different land use functions competing for a particular location, resulting in land value increases and land uses that can deliver the highest return on investment, locating in that location.
Reveal Answer
competitiveness between cities that encourages the development of high-quality urban infrastructure, attracting financial capital and creating business opportunities and competition.
This describes inter-city competition or urban competitiveness, rather than competition for specific land uses within a location.
resistance to the movement of land use functions to new locations; instead, decisions are made to keep them where they are located.
This describes land use inertia, which is the resistance to changing a location's function, rather than the active competition for land.
the movement of people, flows of trade and investment, the purchase of goods and services, and cultural influences that create an advantage to either urban or rural places.
This describes spatial interaction and globalization flows (movement of people, trade, and capital), not the competition between different functions for a specific parcel of land.
different land use functions competing for a particular location, resulting in land value increases and land uses that can deliver the highest return on investment, locating in that location.
Land use competition occurs when various functions (e.g., commercial, residential) bid for the same location, driving up land values so that only the most profitable use can afford it, as explained by the bid-rent theory.
Inertia is defined as
the gradual invasion of one land use type into an area dominated by a different land use, and has occurred when the invading land use has almost completely transformed the land use in that particular area.
the competition that occurs between different land use functions when more than one land use can benefit from a particular location.
a group of similar, but not necessarily the same, land uses that locate in the same area in order to benefit from common infrastructure and each other's operation.
the resistance to movement; for example, factories that would benefit from changing location but instead decisions are made to keep them where they are located.
Reveal Answer
the gradual invasion of one land use type into an area dominated by a different land use, and has occurred when the invading land use has almost completely transformed the land use in that particular area.
Incorrect. This describes the process of invasion and succession, where a new land use gradually replaces an existing one, rather than a resistance to change.
the competition that occurs between different land use functions when more than one land use can benefit from a particular location.
Incorrect. This defines spatial competition, which happens when multiple entities vie for the same advantageous location.
a group of similar, but not necessarily the same, land uses that locate in the same area in order to benefit from common infrastructure and each other's operation.
Incorrect. This is the definition of agglomeration or clustering, where businesses group together to benefit from shared infrastructure and economies of scale.
the resistance to movement; for example, factories that would benefit from changing location but instead decisions are made to keep them where they are located.
Correct. In geography and economics, locational inertia is the tendency of a land use to remain in its original location despite changing conditions, usually due to the high costs or resistance associated with moving.
Explain one example of economic interdependence and one example of environmental interdependence between urban and rural places.
Reveal Answer
Rural urban interdependence is the interaction between these places. It is the two-way exchange of people (labour), resources, capital and/or information.
Economic interdependence:
- Rural places generally produce primary resources through mining and agriculture activities, typically requiring labour and capital inputs from urban places, while urban places receive these primary resources to process and redistribute into rural places.
- Urban places generate large revenues through tax which are then redistributed into rural places to facilitate economic development. Rural economic activities return royalties and taxes to urban places.
Environmental interdependence:
- Rural places often contain significant environmental features such as National Parks which provide a recreational function for urban populations. Urban places often send waste materials to rural places for disposal.
- Urban places produce large quantities of waste which flows to rural areas, while rural areas contain large places of biomass which provides ecosystem services to urban populations.
Economic Example
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the economic interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given clearly demonstrates an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 3 |
Describes the economic interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given implies an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 2 |
States the economic interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given fails to demonstrate an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Environmental Example
Marking Bands| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains the environmental interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given clearly demonstrates an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 3 |
Describes the environmental interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given implies an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 2 |
States the environmental interdependence of urban and rural places. The example given fails to demonstrate an understanding that the term interdependence is two-way. | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |
Define the process of land use planning.
Reveal Answer
Answers could include:
Land use planning refers to planning policies and regulations that play an important role in shaping the land uses and characteristics of urban and rural places. Land use planning includes land use zoning, transport planning, grouping of compatible land uses, creation of buffer zones between incompatible land uses, determining residential densities, renewal project and planning for future growth.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Defines the process of land use planning | 2 |
Makes a generalised statement about the process of land use planning | 1 |
None of the above | 0 |