The Urban World

What is '‘urbanaisation’?

The proportion of the world’s population who live in cities, growing because of natural increase (birth rates > death rates) & rural-urban migration

Urban growth- the increase in the area covered by cities

How does urbnisation vary around the world?

• Urbanisation is growing more quickly in less developed regions ( largest growth by 2050 in India, China, Nigeria NEEs)

• Currently, urbanisation is higher in HICs than LICs

What is the natural increase?

Birth rate is higher than the death rate, natural increase is higher in LICs/ some NEEs because:

• lots of young adults aged 18-35

• unaware/ no access to contraceptives

What is rural-urban migration?

The movement of people from the countryside to towns & cities which is caused by push & pull factors

Push factors (reasons why people want to leave the countryside):

• farming is hard/ poorly paid

• subsistence farming, leaving nothing to sell

• rural areas are isolated, few services

  Pull factors (reasons why people are attracted to the city):

• higher standard of living is possible

• better medical facilities

• better chance of getting education

Where is Rio De Janiero?

Situated in southeast Brazil, around Guanabara bay

It’s four main zones are:

• North zone- industry, squatter settlements, international airport

• Centro- historic buildings, CBD, financial centre

• West zone- wealthy suburbs, industrial areas, Olympic stadiums

• South zone- hotels, beaches & luxury flats, Rochina Favela (largest favela in South America)

Why is Rio an important city?

• Stunning natural backgrounds

• ‘Christ the Redeemer’ (one of the Seven Wonders of the World)

• Hosted 2016 olympics/ 2014 world cup

• Manufacturing industry e.g chemicals, furniture

• Service industries e.g banking, finance

• Major port, important international transport hub

Why has Rio grown?

Economic activities attract migrants from many places e.g:

• Amazon Basin

• Argentina & Bolivia

• South Korea & China seeking new business opportunites

• Portugal (same language, Brazil’s former colonial power)

• Skilled workers from USA, UK

What are the social challenges of accessing services in Rio?

Healthcare:

• Cidade De Deus (WZ)- infant mortality 21/1000, 60% females receiving medical care, average life expectancy of 45)

• Barra da Tijuca (WZ)- IM 6/1000, 100%, ALE of 80

• Rio- IM 19/1000, 74%, ALE of 63

  Education:

• Only half of teenager continue education post 14 because shortage of schools/ teachers, working to support family

What are the social challenges of accessing resources in Rio?

Water supply:

• 12% of population had no running water

• 37% is lost through leaks/ illegal access

• Droughts make water expensive

  Energy:

• Frequent power cuts & blackouts

• Poorer people get electricity by illegally tapping into main supply

How do solutions to accessing services create opportunities in Rio?

Health care:

• Medical staff detect & treat 20 different diseases in people’s homes = reducing infant mortality, increasing life expectancy

  Education:

• Authorities given school grants to poorer families, opened a private university in Rochina favela

How do solutions to accessing resources create opportunities in Rio?

Water supply:

• 300km new pipes & seven water treatment plants built

• By 2014, 95% of the population had mains water

  Energy:

• 60km of new power lines installed

• New nuclear generator built

How have Rio’s industries created economic development?

• Industrial areas have boosted city’s economy (port, tourism, steel, oil refining ,etc)

• Rio provides <6% of Brazil’s employment

• Economic development has improved Rio’s transport/ environment

• Favelas have improved

• Large companies attracted to Rio

• Economic opportunities have developed in the formal employment

What are the economic challenges in Rio?

Unemployment:

• A recession in 2015 increased unemployment= wider contrast in wealth

• Unemployment rates in favelas are <20%, most people in informal economy (poorly paid, irregular wage)

  Crime:

• Murder, kidnapping, armed assault occur regularly

• Powerful gangs control drug trafficking in many favelas

What are the solutions to the economic challenges in Rio?

Unemployment:

• The Schools of Tomorrow programme aims to improve education in poor & violent areas

• Free child care provided to teenage parents to return to education

  Crime:

• In 2013, Pacifying Police Units (UPPs) were established to reclaim favelas from drug dealers

• Police have taken control of some crime-dominated favelas