New
New
Year 8

Regenerating cities

I can explain how and why cities are regenerated.

New
New
Year 8

Regenerating cities

I can explain how and why cities are regenerated.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Cities change due to economic and social factors.
  2. Urban regeneration is often needed when manufacturing industry declines due to dereliction.
  3. Regeneration renews the built environment, creating homes, jobs and services.
  4. Big changes can leave some groups behind.
  5. Community involvement is important in regeneration.

Keywords

  • Regeneration - the process of improving and reenergising an area, for example creating jobs

  • Dereliction - when buildings or land degrades into a state of poor condition, having been abandoned

  • Community - group of people who live in the same area and have common interests

Common misconception

Urban regeneration only means building new houses.

Regeneration is not just about new housing—it also improves transport, creates jobs, and provides community services.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Regenerating cities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to research or discuss any regeneration projects in their own local area—this makes the topic more relevant and helps them connect lessons to real life.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Urban area,A place with lots of buildings and people

A place with lots of buildings and people

Correct Answer:Quality of life,A person’s comfort, happiness and safety

A person’s comfort, happiness and safety

Correct Answer:Informal housing,Homes built without official permission

Homes built without official permission

Q2.
What is a common reason people move to cities?

To escape traffic
Correct answer: To find work or education
To grow their own food
To live closer to nature

Q3.
Which of these is an example of informal housing?

A council estate
A legally built flat
Correct answer: A self-built shack on unused land
A newly built office block

Q4.
Living in a city can offer better access to .

Correct Answer: healthcare

Q5.
Which of these is not likely to reduce quality of life in a city?

Air pollution
Traffic congestion
Correct answer: Access to clean water
Crime

Q6.
Which of these is a challenge for people living in fast-growing cities?

Fresh air
Correct answer: Affordable housing
Green parks
Quiet streets

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Regeneration,Improving old or run-down urban areas

Improving old or run-down urban areas

Correct Answer:Dereliction,Land or buildings in very poor condition

Land or buildings in very poor condition

Correct Answer:Community,A group of people living in the same place

A group of people living in the same place

Q2.
Which of these is not likely to happen during regeneration?

Improving old buildings
Building new roads
Correct answer: Abandoning schools
Creating new job opportunities

Q3.
Why do some people think regeneration only means new housing?

Correct answer: New housing is often the most visible change
It always includes new hospitals
Regeneration happens only in the countryside
All regeneration removes homes

Q4.
How can local communities be involved in regeneration?

They stay uninvolved
Correct answer: They help plan changes
They must move away
They are not allowed input