Top Down & Bottom up Approaches (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

Example Case Study: Top Down Approach - HS2, UK

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Example case study: top-down approach - HS2, UK

• Top-down development schemes are usually expensive
• The schemes happen as a result of government or TNCs
• They often involve borrowing money
• Local people affected by the scheme often have little say in the process

Case Study

High Speed 2 (HS2)

• Aims to reduce regional inequality increasing growth, productivity and incomes in the Midlands and the North of England

• The first stage will be completed in 2026

  • It will link Birmingham and London
  • Stage 2 included a link to Leeds - this part of the project has now been abandoned

Top down development - proposed route of HS2

Arguments for HS2

• Increase employment and productivity in the Midlands and North
• Over 22,000 construction jobs are to be created
• The government estimates an increase in the UK GDP of £15bn a year
• Increasing numbers of people will use trains instead of cars or planes reducing emissions
• Better transport connections reduce production costs
• The government estimates that 70% of jobs will be created outside of London

Arguments against HS2

• The cost has increased from £32.7bn to an estimated £72bn-£98bn
• Over 250 acres of green belt land will be built on
• It will cross Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
• HS2 trains will use 50% more energy than Eurostar trains
• The money could be spent on many other projects to improve the quality of people's lives
• The consultation did not take into account the views of people along the proposed route

Example Case Study: Bottom Up Approach - Peru

Spec point — 4GE1-S3.066

Example case study: bottom-up approach - Peru

• Bottom-up development schemes are relatively low-cost
• Usually organised by NGOs and/or local people
• They target the poorest communities and involve local people at all stages
• Use appropriate technology which can be maintained and used by local people

Case Study

Micro-hydro schemes in Peru

• Aims to provide electricity to remote rural areas where 50% of people were living on just US$2 a day

• Practical Action has installed 47 micro-hydro schemes across Peru which provide:

  • Metered electricity to 5,000 families
  • Good quality lighting
  • Refrigeration
  • Access to televisions/computers

• Over **25% **of households have started or expanded businesses as a result of having electricity

• Approximately,** 60% **of household incomes have increased

Chambamontera, Peru

• The cost of the scheme** was US$51,000** partly paid for by the community, Japan and Practical Action

• Over 60 families directly benefit and an additional 100 families in neighbouring villages benefit

  • Streetlights mean that people can go outside after dark
  • Improved school facilities
  • Completing homework in an evening is now possible
  • Business development is possible
  • Coffee processing has become mechanised

Worked Example **Explain the disadvantages of using top-down approaches to development **

(4 Marks)

• The best way to approach this question is to make two points and then explain each one, stating why it is a disadvantage

• Answer

  • The projects are usually expensive and involve borrowing money which leads to increased debt (1); this means that there is less money available for investment in other areas of development (1);
  • The projects often involve little consultation with the local population** (1)**; people may be significantly impacted and be forced to leave their homes (1)
  • TNCs and governments make take advantage of the local workforce (1); people may be given low pay and poor working conditions which stop them from breaking out of poverty (1)