Natural And Built Environments Notes, Quizzes & Revision
π Revision Notes β’ π Quizzes β’ π Past Papers available in app
subject_replace β topic_name_replace
Subtopic: Natural And Built Environments
Context: Kenya | Target age: age_replace
Learning objectives
- Define natural environment and built environment and give Kenyan examples.
- Describe how people change natural environments to make built environments.
- Identify positive and negative effects of built environments on nature and people.
- Suggest ways communities in Kenya can protect the natural environment while developing built places.
Natural environment
All living and non-living things that occur naturally β e.g., forests, rivers, lakes, animals, mountains, soils and weather.
Kenyan examples: Maasai Mara savanna, Mount Kenya forests, Lake Victoria, the Rift Valley escarpment.
Built environment
Places made by people β houses, roads, towns, farms, schools, bridges and factories.
Kenyan examples: Nairobi CBD, Mombasa port, small rural homesteads, highways like the A104, market centres.
π³
Natural
(wildlife, forests, lakes)
ποΈ
Built
(towns, roads, farms)
How natural and built environments interact
- People turn forests into farms and towns β this provides homes and food but can reduce habitat.
- Rivers used for water supply may be diverted or dammed to serve towns and farms.
- Urbanisation changes local climate (more heat, less rain infiltration) and increases run-off and floods.
- Proper planning can make built areas that protect soils, water and biodiversity.
Positive effects of built environments
- Access to schools, health centres and markets (improved quality of life).
- Infrastructure (roads, electricity, water systems) supports economic activity.
- Planned towns can include parks and green spaces to support nature and recreation.
Negative effects
- Deforestation and loss of wildlife habitats (e.g., forest clearance for agriculture).
- Pollution of rivers and lakes from waste; affecting water for people and fish.
- Unplanned settlements (informal settlements) can worsen sanitation and health risks.
- Soil erosion and siltation of dams and lakes from poor land use.
Short Kenyan examples
- Mau Forest: deforestation reduced water flows to rivers used by farmers and hydropower β shows why forests matter to built systems.
- Nairobi expansion: road building and developments bring jobs but increase demand for water and strain drainage systems.
- Lake Victoria communities: overfishing, pollution and shoreline settlements affect fish stocks and livelihoods.
How communities in Kenya can protect natural environments while building
- Plant and protect trees near farms and in towns (community tree-planting programs).
- Use rainwater harvesting and safe water storage to reduce pressure on rivers and wells.
- Practice soil conservation: terraces, cover crops and avoid overgrazing on slopes.
- Proper waste management: recycling, safe disposal and community clean-up drives.
- Plan settlements with drainage, green spaces and access to basic services.
- Learn and use local laws and community by-laws to protect water catchments and forests; Kenyaβs Constitution gives the right to a healthy environment.
Key vocabulary
- Habitat β the place where a plant or animal lives.
- Urbanisation β growth of towns and cities.
- Conservation β careful use and protection of natural resources.
- Run-off β rainwater that flows over land into rivers and lakes.
- Catchment β area from which rainfall flows into a river, lake or reservoir.
Class activities and short assessments
- Field walk: Observe your local area (village/town). List 5 natural features and 5 built features. Describe one way each built feature affects nature.
- Drawing: On one page draw a natural scene and then show the same place after a town is built β label changes.
- Group discussion: How can your community balance building homes and protecting trees? Write 3 practical steps.
- Short quiz (example): What is a catchment? Name two Kenyan places that are natural environments.
Revision checklist
- Can you explain the difference between natural and built environments?
- Can you give local Kenyan examples of each?
- Can you describe one benefit and one problem that built environments cause?
- Can you suggest two ways your school can help protect the nearby natural environment?
Notes prepared for learners in Kenya β adapt examples to the local neighbourhood as needed.