9696/21 Cambridge International AS/A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2019

PUBLISHED

Settlement dynamics

Question Answer Marks

1(a) Describe the characteristics of central business districts (CBDs). 7

This is generic so could be HIC, MIC or LIC.

Characteristics include:
• vertical zoning within buildings
• multi-storey development
• concentration of retailing and offices (absence of industry)
• low residential population
• dynamic – ever-changing, redeveloping/expanding
• edge marked by transport termini
• high footfall – accessibility (pedestrianisation)
• highest site value/bid-rent

Point mark such that 3 valid points with development (detail, use of data)
can achieve the maximum.

There is no explanation required/expected but allow as development.

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Question Answer Marks

1(b) Explain why CBDs have distinct functional zones. 8

Functional zoning is both horizontal (notion of inner and outer cores to CBD/
grouping of functions such as retailing) and vertical. There is no requirement
to cover both aspects.

Indicative content:
• competition for the most accessible sites e.g. bid-rent, land values
• complementarity – support each other e.g. estate agents and legal
• mutual repulsion e.g. high class shops and clubs
• comparison activities e.g. clothes shops
• historical factors e.g. tourist areas near a castle/cathedral
• accessibility e.g. near to ring road for delivery, near parking
• planning controls/land use zoning e.g. entertainment areas

Award marks based on the quality of explanation and breadth of the

response using the marking levels below.

Level 3 (6–8)
Response explains a range of factors that result in land uses forming distinct
zones. Response is well founded in detailed knowledge and strong
conceptual understanding of the topic. Any examples used are appropriate
and integrated effectively into the response.

Level 2 (3–5)
Response offers some explanation of some of the factors that cause
zonation of land uses. Response develops on a largely secure base of
knowledge and understanding. Examples may lack detail or development.

Level 1 (1–2)
Response has descriptive points about land uses in CBDs. Knowledge is
basic and understanding may be inaccurate. Examples are in name only or
lacking entirely.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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Question Answer Marks

1(c) With the aid of examples, assess the extent to which retailing is still 15
located in the central areas of urban settlements.

Candidates are free to develop their own approach to the question and
responses will vary depending on the approach chosen. Whichever route is
chosen, essays which discuss the extent to which retailing is still located in
the central areas of urban settlements and support their argument with
relevant examples will be credited. There may be detailed consideration of
one or more examples, or a broadly conceived response, drawing on
several examples to illustrate the factors involved.

The syllabus refers to ‘the changing CBD’ and ‘how urban locations change
over time for retailing’ so candidates should have a sound background for
this. There should be a clear idea of what ‘central areas’ mean. There is no
definitive answer but a number of forces are making it possible to do without
a single main retail centre in a city.

These include:
• decentralisation forces (high cost of CBD sites) – movement out of
retailing, residential etc. to suburban or fringe locations
• increased accessibility – more flexible travel than old radial routes
• decreased accessibility into the centre – traffic congestion
• use of the internet to purchase, trade, service etc. (no need to
centralise)
• competition from other nodes within the city e.g. new rival CBDs
• development of niche areas – trendy areas in the central area
• combination of retailing and other functions e.g. entertainment,
transport, tourism
• business rates/taxation cheaper elsewhere + planning restrictions
tighter in CBD
• pollution – due to traffic congestion and too crowded
• but, equally, CBDs remain the ‘image makers’ for retailing with tourist
attractions creating retailing in the centre

Award marks based on the quality of the response using the marking levels
below.

Level 4 (12–15)
Response thoroughly assesses the extent to which CBDs are still the main
focus of retailing in modern cities. Response has good contextual
understanding of specific initiatives/strategies/factors at work. Response
makes clear links between these forces and continued viability of the CBD.
Response is well founded in detailed knowledge and strong conceptual
understanding of the topic.

Level 3 (8–11)
Response assesses some of the factors but may be unbalanced in favour of
one factor/process/strategy and may not consider others. There is some
attempt to link forces to the viability of the CBD as a retail centre. Examples
may lack detail or development. Response develops on a largely secure
base of knowledge and understanding.

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Question Answer Marks

1(c) Level 2 (4–7)

Response shows general knowledge and understanding of a limited range
of forces. Response is mainly descriptive or explanatory with limited use of
examples and understanding of the topic may be partial or inaccurate. Some
concluding remarks. General responses without the use of example(s) will
not get above the middle of Level 2 (6 marks).

Level 1 (1–3)
Response may broadly discuss CBD activities but does not address the
question and does not come to a convincing conclusion. Response is
descriptive, knowledge is basic and understanding is poor.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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Migration/Settlement dynamics

Question Answer Marks

2(a) Describe how political factors influence the location of activities in 7

urban areas.

Activities could refer to land uses or functions. The stress is on the influence
on their location resulting from political factors such as:

• Planning controls – land use zoning

• Redevelopment and renewal policies
• Taxation rates, e.g. business rates
• Government’s own activities, e.g. social housing schemes, government
offices
• Need to create open spaces / conservation / recreation areas
• Laws, e.g. anti-pollution controls
• Building of infrastructure such as transport, power, etc.

Point mark with 1 mark per valid point or 2 marks if developed / exemplified
point.

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Question Answer Marks

2(b) With the aid of examples, explain why the location of retailing has 8
changed in urban areas in HICs.

Retailing in urban areas has changed its location, in most cases it has been
an outward movement (although accept well argued alternatives). Another
locational change has been the development of shopping malls or even
vertical development.

Explanation could include:

• Environmental reasons – increased pollution, need for more land,

increased congestion in inner areas
• Economic reasons – cheaper land, increased power supply, changes in
accessibility, competition, changes in sources of goods
• Social reasons – changes in local population, demand
• Political reasons – government policies, pollution laws, planning controls,
taxation, nationalisation
• Rise of internet shopping
• Equally it reflects the problems of the CBD, e.g. high rents / rates

Award marks based on the quality of explanation and breadth of the response
using the marking levels below.

Level 3 (6–8)
Response explains in detail how and why retailing has changed location in
urban areas. Response is well founded in detailed knowledge and strong
conceptual understanding of the topic. Any examples used are appropriate
and integrated effectively into the response.

Level 2 (3–5)
Response offers some explanation of why retailing has changed location in
urban areas. Response develops on a largely secure base of knowledge and
understanding. Examples may lack detail or development. Max. 4 if no
examples.

Level 1 (1–2)
Response has largely descriptive points about retailing changing location in
urban areas. Knowledge is basic and understanding may be inaccurate.
Examples are in name only or lacking entirely.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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Question Answer Marks

2(c) ‘With increasing levels of economic development, cities will decrease in 15

population size.’

With the aid of examples, to what extent do you agree with this view?

Candidates are free to develop their own approach to the question and
responses will vary depending on the approach chosen. Whichever approach
is chosen, essays which address the question and support their argument
with relevant examples will be credited. There may be detailed consideration
of a case study/one or more examples, or a broadly conceived response,
drawing on several examples to illustrate the factors involved.

This is based on the model of city growth that sees them first expanding then
declining as an economy grows. This is very much the HIC model with
counter urbanisation forces but is it true for MICs where the urbanisation
forces remain strong as they develop economically? The contrasting view is
the notion of mega-cities including re-urbanisation processes. The higher level
responses may recognise the competing drivers at work such as economies
of scale, need for security/safety, social cohesion and government attitudes to
urban growth and that these vary over location and time.

Award marks based on the quality of the response using the marking levels
below.

Level 4 (12–15)
Response thoroughly discusses whether with increasing levels of economic
development cities will decrease in population size. Response has good
contextual understanding of specific initiatives/strategies and makes clear
links between economic development and urban population numbers.
Examples used are appropriate and integrated effectively into the response.
Response is well founded in detailed knowledge and strong conceptual
understanding of the topic.

Level 3 (8–11)
Response discusses some of the aspects of whether with increasing levels of
economic development cities will decrease in population size but may be
unbalanced. Examples may lack detail or development. Response develops
on a largely secure base of knowledge and understanding.

Level 2 (4–7)
Response shows general knowledge and understanding of whether with
increasing levels of economic development cities will decrease in population
size. Response is mainly descriptive or explanatory with limited use of
examples and understanding of the topic may be partial or inaccurate. Some
concluding remarks. General responses without the use of example(s) will not
get above the middle of Level 2 (6 marks).

Level 1 (1–3)
Response may broadly discuss urban growth but does not address the
question and does not come to a convincing conclusion. Response is
descriptive, knowledge is basic and understanding is poor.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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Population/Migration/Settlement dynamics

Question Answer Marks

3(a) Explain why the population of some rural settlements in HICs is 7

decreasing.

The key is remoteness.

Indicative content
• cost/time of traveling to core areas – poor transport
• lack of services – too expensive to supply them
• ignored (or marginalised) by politicians/rest of the country
• often suffer extremes of climate
• less secure as distant from central control
• ageing population as young migrated to find work
• lack of housing due to second home buyers
• lack of employment (or too hard such as farming)

Point mark such that 3 valid points with development (detail and/or
examples) can achieve at the maximum.

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Question Answer Marks

3(b) Suggest why the provision of services may be difficult in many rural 8
settlements in LICs.

To some extent this will depend on how candidates define services. The
syllabus does not define services but makes it distinct from retailing and
manufacturing.

Indicative content

Provision may be difficult due to:

• economic factors such as cost, income (from services or tax), lack of
communications
• social – high levels of demand, differing demands within the community,
opposition from traditional culture
• environmental – type of area served, space (buildings) needed,
accessibility, challenging conditions
• political – political will, priorities (both in terms of impact and area
focus), insecurity

Award marks based on the quality of explanation and breadth of the

response using the marking levels below.

Level 3 (6–8)
Response explains a range of reasons why the provision of services is
difficult in rural settlements in LICs/MICs. Response is well founded in
detailed knowledge and strong conceptual understanding of the topic. Any
examples used are appropriate and integrated effectively into the response.

Level 2 (3–5)
Response offers some explanation of why the provision of services is
difficult in rural settlements in LICs/MICs. Response develops on a largely
secure base of knowledge and understanding. Examples may lack detail or
development.

Level 1 (1–2)
Response has descriptive points about provision of services in rural
settlements. Knowledge is basic and understanding may be inaccurate.
Examples are in name only or lacking entirely.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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Question Answer Marks

3(c) With the aid of examples, evaluate the extent to which improvements 15
in transport and communications may make rural settlements more
attractive for urban–rural migrants.

Candidates are free to develop their own approach to the question and
responses will vary depending on the approach chosen. Whichever
approach is chosen, essays which address the question and support their
argument with relevant examples will be credited. There may be detailed
consideration of a case study/one or more examples, or a broadly conceived
response, drawing on several examples to illustrate the factors involved.

The syllabus considers counterurbanisation and refers directly to urban-rural

movements – their causes. This question looks at one of these causes.
Communication includes both transport and other forms such as television
and IT.

Indicative content

Role of transport and communications:

• improved road/rail transport has reduced friction of distance and time
taken – rural areas less remote for services, etc.
• increased use of IT means people can work at a distance
• television and other media can give an attractive image of rural life

But other factors are important as well, such as lower costs of living,
peaceful atmosphere, less congestion/pollution, etc.

Many may see increased communication as a factor enabling people to

respond to the wider push and pull forces. But the assessment should
consider the extent to which the role of communication may vary over time,
location, between groups and with the nature of the increased
communication. Some may argue that increased communications make
some rural areas less attractive for migrants.

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Question Answer Marks

3(c) Award marks based on the quality of the response using the marking levels
below.

Level 4 (12–15)
Response thoroughly discusses the extent that the increased level of
communications have made rural settlements more attractive for urban-rural
migrants. Response has good contextual understanding of increased
communications. Responses makes clear links between various factors and
urban-rural migration. Examples used are appropriate and integrated
effectively into the response. Response is well founded in detailed
knowledge and strong conceptual understanding of the topic.

Level 3 (8–11)
Response discusses some of the extent that the increased level of
communications have made rural settlements more attractive for urban-rural
migrants but may be unbalanced. There is some attempt to link increased
communications to urban-rural migration. Examples may lack detail or
development. Response develops on a largely secure base of knowledge
and understanding.

Level 2 (4–7)
Response shows general knowledge and understanding of how the
increased level of communications have made rural settlements more
attractive for urban-rural migrants. Response is mainly descriptive or
explanatory with limited use of examples and understanding of the topic
may be partial or inaccurate. Some concluding remarks. General responses
without the use of example(s) will not get above the middle of Level 2 (6
marks).

Level 1 (1–3)
Response may broadly discuss urban-rural migration but does not address
the question and does not come to a convincing conclusion. Response is
descriptive, knowledge is basic and understanding is poor.

Level 0 (0)
No creditable response.

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