HSC Geography · People, Patterns and Processes · 7.5 · Student worksheet
Patterns of Economic Activity — Industrial Production — Activities
Print or work on screen · pairs with the 7.5 study page
Activity 1 — The shift to emerging economies
Syllabus link: 7.5.1 & 7.5.6 · the changing spatial pattern
Using the study page, list and briefly explain four factors that have shifted manufacturing from traditional Western centres to emerging economies over the past ~50 years.
- Factor 1:
- Factor 2:
- Factor 3:
- Factor 4:
Activity 2 — Explain the Rust Belt's decline
Syllabus link: 7.5.4 · deindustrialisation
In a short paragraph, explain why the US Manufacturing Belt became the "Rust Belt". Name the region and at least two cities, and use the three main drivers (overseas competition, automation, decline of steel & coal).
Activity 3 — Analyse Zhengzhou
Syllabus link: 7.5.5 · an emerging manufacturing hub
Complete the table to analyse why Zhengzhou has become a major manufacturing centre, then answer the question below.
| Feature of Zhengzhou | How it helps attract / grow manufacturing |
|---|
| Foxconn / "iPhone City" | |
| Industrial & airport economy zones | |
| Rail & air logistics (Zhengzhou–Europe freight) | |
| Cross-border e-commerce zone | |
Question: In one sentence, how is Zhengzhou's story the "other side" of the Rust Belt's decline?
Activity 4 — Compare rise and decline
Syllabus link: 7.5.4 & 7.5.5 · Rust Belt vs Zhengzhou
Complete the comparison table using the study page.
| US Manufacturing Belt / Rust Belt | Zhengzhou, China |
|---|
| Direction of change | | |
| Key industries | | |
| Main drivers | | |
| Concept it illustrates | | |
Activity 5 — Key concepts
Syllabus link: geographical concepts
For each concept, write one sentence linking it to industrial production.
- Space (where manufacturing is concentrated):
- Change (the ~50-year shift):
- Interconnection (global supply chains):
- Scale (local hub → global pattern):
Take it further — resources
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