STARTER ACTIVITYSTARTER ACTIVITY

In pairs, discuss why you think we need more homes in the UK. Try to think of at least four reasons.

Where do you think these new homes should be built?

Be prepared to explain your ideas.

The population of the UK is still slowly rising.

Why is this?Why is this?

More and more of us are living alone. There are more “single person households.”

Why is this?Why is this?

Some houses are too run down to

live in.Not enough new houses are being

built

More and more of us are

moving into some areas

Why is this?Why is this? Why is this?Why is this?

We could build on greenfield sitesgreenfield sites. These are sites in rural areas which have not been built on before.

Or we could build on brownfieldbrownfield sites.sites. These are sites that were already built on, but may be waste ground now and can be redeveloped. The government would like at least 60% of new homes to go on brownfield sites.

TASKS

An example of redevelopment on a brownfield site

STARTER ACTIVITY ~ Discuss in pairs

Where is this area? What do you think it is like there? Can you Where is this area? What do you think it is like there? Can you recognise and name any features on the aerial photograph?recognise and name any features on the aerial photograph?

ENQUIRYENQUIRY

How do developments How do developments in the Greenwich in the Greenwich Peninsula show how Peninsula show how we can live we can live sustainablysustainably? That ? That means living without means living without wasting things or wasting things or harming the harming the environment.environment.

This map dates from 2000. Where is the “Greenwich Peninsula”? This map dates from 2000. Where is the “Greenwich Peninsula”? What do you notice about the land use in the Greenwich Peninsula?What do you notice about the land use in the Greenwich Peninsula?

History of the Greenwich Peninsula

A few hundred years ago it was a rural area. About 500 people lived there. Many of them grew vegetables for London.

By 1860 industry had arrived. There were shipyards and factories to make rope, chemicals and ammunition. In 1889 a huge gas works opened, making gas from coal.

The area began to decline in the late 20th century. Old houses like the ones opposite were demolished in the 1970s. One by one, the old industries closed down. By the early 1990s much of the area was derelict.

The old gasworks closed in 1985. It was no longer needed because we had changed to using gas from the North Sea.

Redevelopment of the area began in 1997 and finishes in 2005.

The Millennium Dome was just one of the new buildings on the old gasworks site.

These Greenwich Village houses have many features to help save energy. They are well insulated to keep heat in, have south-facing glass walls to trap the sun’s heat and have energy-saving fridges, washing machines and dishwashers.

How could this building save How could this building save energy?energy?

Examples of high-rise apartments alongside the R. Thames

How do you think the local Sainsbury’s saves How do you think the local Sainsbury’s saves energy?energy?

Supermarkets use electricity for light and Supermarkets use electricity for light and heat. The Sainsbury’s in Greenwich Village heat. The Sainsbury’s in Greenwich Village saves electricity by:saves electricity by:

making some of its own wind and solar making some of its own wind and solar powerpower

having a glass roof to let natural light inhaving a glass roof to let natural light in

There are also facilities for recycling at the There are also facilities for recycling at the store and a place for free recharging of store and a place for free recharging of electric cars.electric cars.

Saving waterSaving water

All the rain falling on the Dome roof is collected and used for the toilets.

All the rain falling on the roof of Sainsbury’s is used to water plants around the supermarket

There is a very good bus service

There is a tube station beside the Dome

There are lots of cycle tracks

There are not many parking spaces

You can order from the supermarket on the internet.

Your shopping is delivered to your home.

Cutting trafficCutting traffic

Cars cause pollution and clog up the streets. So people living in Greenwich Village are encouraged not to drive!

Public transport links are excellent, linking the Greenwich Peninsula with other areas of London.

Attracting wildlifeAttracting wildlife

Salt marshes are being created along the edge of the river to attract ducks and other birds.

Using Technology and Using Technology and Building a CommunityBuilding a Community

The houses are really hi-The houses are really hi-tech! tech!

They all have computers.They all have computers.

All houses are linked to All houses are linked to the Greenwich Village the Greenwich Village website, the school and website, the school and the health centre.the health centre.

Fire alarms in houses are Fire alarms in houses are automatically linked to automatically linked to the local fire station.the local fire station.

Burglar alarms are linked Burglar alarms are linked to a local security centre.to a local security centre.

Millennium Dome

Tube and bus stations

Parks

Millennium Village Housing

Sainsbury’s

Lots of cycle tracks but not many parking spaces

Key features of development in the Greenwich Peninsula