What is Liveability?
What does the word liveability mean?
How good a place is to live.
Name one thing that makes a place liveable.
Give one example of an objective measure.
Crime rate, number of schools, number of parks, population.
What is an index?
A score used to compare places.
Why might two people disagree about whether a suburb is liveable?
They have different needs and opinions.
What is quality of life?
How healthy, happy and comfortable people are where they live.
Name one service people need in a community.
Hospital, doctor, police, fire station, school.
Give one example of a subjective measure.
"I feel safe." "I like this suburb." People's opinions.
Why do geographers use more than one measure?
One measure doesn't show the whole picture.
A suburb has lots of shops but no parks. Is it very liveable? Why?
Probably not, because parks are important for recreation and health.
Is the same place liveable for everyone? Why?
No. Different people have different needs and opinions.
Why are parks important?
They give people space to exercise, play and relax.
Is "I feel safe walking home" objective or subjective?
Subjective.
Name one thing geographers could count to measure liveability.
Parks, schools, hospitals, crime rate, public transport.
You have $10 million to improve your suburb. What would you build first and why?
Accept any sensible answer with a reason.
Name three things that affect liveability.
Why is public transport important?
It helps people travel to school, work and shops.
Is crime rate objective or subjective?
Objective.
Why can't geographers only use opinions?
Everyone has different opinions.
Which is more important for liveability: safety or entertainment? Explain.
Accept either answer if students justify it.
Explain liveability in your own words.
A place that is safe, has services, and meets people's needs.
Why are schools important?
They provide education and help children learn.
Give one objective measure and one subjective measure.
Objective: Number of hospitals.
Subjective: "The suburb is friendly."
How could geographers compare two suburbs?
Use an index and compare factors like safety, healthcare and education.
Design the most liveable suburb you can think of. Name five features and explain why they are important.
Any five such as: