Geography AQA GCSE Urbanisation

Urbanisation

Increase in the proportion of people living in cities

Rural-urban migration

Movement of people from countryside to cities for jobs and better services

Push factors

Reasons people leave rural areas such as poverty, lack of jobs and poor healthcare

Pull factors

Reasons people move to cities such as employment, education and entertainment

Natural increase

When birth rate is higher than death rate causing population growth

Reason natural increase is high

Young population and limited access to contraception

Megacity

City with over 10 million people

Reasons for megacity growth

Rural-urban migration and high natural increase

Transport

Movement of people and goods within and between cities

Traffic congestion

Overcrowding of roads causing delays, pollution and economic loss

Air pollution

Harmful gases from vehicles and industry damaging health

Why congestion and pollution are challenges

They increase illness, reduce quality of life and slow the economy

Urban transport strategies

Buses, trams, cycle lanes and road pricing

How transport strategies reduce congestion

Encourage people to use public transport instead of cars

Tourism

Industry bringing income and jobs but also congestion and environmental damage

Entertainment

Leisure facilities that improve quality of life and attract people

Economic opportunities

Jobs, higher wages and business growth

Social opportunities

Better education, healthcare and cultural activities

Environmental opportunities

Urban greening and renewable energy improving air quality

Greenfield sites

Undeveloped land on the edge of cities used for building

Greenfield opportunities

Cheaper to build and allows planned developments

Greenfield problems

Loss of countryside and habitats leading to urban sprawl

Brownfield sites

Old industrial or built-up land that is redeveloped

Brownfield opportunities

Reuses land and reduces urban sprawl

Brownfield problems

Expensive to clean and may be contaminated

Urban sprawl

Outward growth of cities into rural areas

Green areas

Parks and open spaces improving air quality and well-being

Urban greening

Planting trees and creating parks to reduce pollution and heat

Commuter settlement

Towns where people live but travel to cities for work

Commuter settlement growth

Expansion due to people wanting cheaper housing

Rural-urban fringe

Area where city and countryside meet with mixed land use

Rural-urban fringe opportunities

Space for housing, industry and leisure

Rural-urban fringe problems

Loss of farmland and land-use conflict

Urban growth challenges

Housing shortages, congestion, pollution and inequality

Waste disposal

Collection and treatment of rubbish to prevent disease and pollution

Sanitation systems

Supply of clean water and safe sewage disposal

Why sanitation is a challenge

Rapid population growth and lack of infrastructure

Recycling

Reprocessing waste to reduce landfill and save resources

Advantages of recycling

Cuts pollution, saves energy and reduces landfill

Dereliction

Abandoned land and buildings causing crime and decline

Regeneration

Improving run-down areas with new housing, jobs and services

How regeneration solves urban problems

Reduces dereliction, creates jobs and improves environment

Water conservation

Reducing water use to prevent shortages

Energy conservation

Using less energy and more renewables to cut pollution

How sustainability strategies help

Reduce environmental damage and make resources last longer

How developments help sustainability

Use of public transport, green spaces and energy-efficient buildings

Why UK cities are important

Centres of trade, finance, culture and education

Why growth is slower in HICs

Low birth rates and already high urbanisation

Why LIC and NEE cities are nationally important

Drive economic growth and attract investment

Why LIC and NEE cities are regionally important

Provide jobs, markets and services for surrounding areas

Industrial areas

Zones of factories and offices providing employment

How industrial areas encourage development

Attract workers, housing and services

Why reducing crime is a challenge

Poverty, unemployment and overcrowding increase crime

Education inequality

Unequal access to good schools in poor areas

Reasons for education inequality

Lack of funding, overcrowding and poverty

How urban planning improves life for the poor

Slum upgrading, clean water, sanitation and better housing

International migration

Movement of people between countries into cities

How migration changes city life

Increases cultural diversity, skills and housing demand

Opportunities of migration

More workers, new businesses and cultural variety

Problems of migration

Pressure on housing, jobs and services

Environmental challenges in cities

Air pollution, waste, water pollution and loss of green space

Why facing pollution is challenging

Increases illness and lowers quality of life

Urban change challenges

Inequality, unemployment, congestion and environmental damage