Urban Settlement Issues (Unit 20)

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Define urban settlement.

A settlement where most people are employed in the secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors, with a high population density and extensive infrastructure.

Define urbanisation.

The increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas rather than rural areas.

Define urban growth.

The increase in the number of people living in urban areas due to natural increase and migration.

Define urban expansion.

The outward physical growth of an urban area into the surrounding rural land.

Define the rate of urbanisation.

The percentage by which the urban population increases each year.

Define the level of urbanisation.

The percentage of the total population living in urban settlements.

Define migration.

The movement of people from one place to another, either permanently or temporarily.

Define rural-urban migration.

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of better employment, education and services.

Define international migration.

The movement of people from one country to another.

Define counter-urbanisation.

The movement of people from urban areas back to rural areas to escape city life, congestion, pollution and crime.

Define post-modern city.

A city that no longer follows the traditional urban model and has multiple centres (multiple nuclei), mixed land uses and diverse social groups.

Define new town.

A planned urban settlement built to relieve pressure on existing cities or to stimulate economic growth.

Define densification.

The process of increasing the number of people or buildings in an existing urban area by making more efficient use of land.

Define edge city.

A concentration of business, shopping and entertainment outside the traditional CBD, usually near major roads or airports.

Define eco-city (green city).

A city designed to minimise environmental impacts through sustainable planning, efficient resource use and renewable energy.

Define ecological footprint.

The impact that a city has on the environment through its use of natural resources and production of waste.

Define sustainable development.

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Define green building principles.

Building methods that reduce energy use, conserve water, minimise waste and lessen environmental impacts.

Define urban sprawl.

The uncontrolled outward expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.

Define urban blight (urban decay).

The deterioration of a previously functioning part of a city as buildings become neglected, abandoned or dilapidated.

Define CBD (Central Business District).

The commercial and business centre of a city where land values and accessibility are highest.

Define congestion.

A situation where transport networks cannot cope with the volume of traffic using them.

Define overcrowding.

A situation where too many people occupy a space beyond what is considered safe and healthy.

Define housing shortage.

A situation where there are insufficient formal houses to accommodate the population.

Define service provision.

The supply of essential services such as water, electricity, sanitation, roads and refuse removal by local authorities.

What has been the overall urbanisation trend in South Africa over the past century?

Urbanisation has steadily increased, with a growing percentage of South Africans living in urban areas.

Describe the recent urbanisation trend in South Africa.

South Africa continues to experience rapid urbanisation, mainly due to rural-urban migration and natural population growth.

Why is South Africa becoming increasingly urbanised?

Rural-urban migration Population growth Better employment opportunities Better education Better healthcare Improved services Greater economic opportunities

What is the biggest cause of urbanisation in South Africa?

Rural-urban migration.

Why do people migrate from rural to urban areas?

Employment opportunities Better education Better healthcare Improved services Higher standard of living Better transport Family reunification

What is meant by rapid urbanisation?

A very fast increase in the urban population over a short period of time.

Why is rapid urbanisation often a problem?

Infrastructure and services cannot expand quickly enough to meet the growing population.

What major urban issues are caused by rapid urbanisation?

Housing shortages Informal settlements Urban sprawl Traffic congestion Overcrowding Poor service delivery Pollution Urban decay

What is the difference between urban growth and urbanisation?

Urban growth = increase in the number of people living in urban areas. Urbanisation = increase in the percentage of the total population living in urban areas.

What is the difference between urban expansion and urbanisation?

Urbanisation refers to population change. Urban expansion refers to the physical growth of the city.

Why does urbanisation lead to urban expansion?

More people require more housing, industries, roads and services, causing cities to spread into surrounding rural land.

What is counter-urbanisation?

The movement of people from cities back to rural areas.

Give four reasons for counter-urbanisation.

Increased car ownership Improved communication technology (working from home) Pollution, congestion and crime in cities Retirement to rural areas New business parks on city outskirts

Why has increased car ownership encouraged counter-urbanisation?

People can commute longer distances more easily.

How has technology encouraged counter-urbanisation?

Remote working through email, internet and video conferencing allows people to live further from cities.

Why do retirees often contribute to counter-urbanisation?

Rural property is usually cheaper, quieter and less congested.

Describe two characteristics of post-modern cities.

Multiple urban centres (multiple nuclei) Mixed land uses Gated communities Office towers Urban waterfronts Ethnic neighbourhoods Theme parks

Why are new towns developed?

Reduce pressure on existing cities Stimulate regional economic growth Provide planned urban development Attract skilled workers

Why is densification becoming increasingly important in South Africa?

Limited available land Reduces urban sprawl Makes better use of infrastructure Protects agricultural land and natural areas Encourages public transport

Why are eco-cities regarded as the future of urban planning?

Reduce pollution Lower ecological footprints Use renewable energy Improve water and waste management Promote sustainable development Improve quality of life

Define lack of planning.

The failure of urban authorities to effectively plan for population growth, infrastructure, housing, transport and services, resulting in poorly managed urban development.

Why does rapid urbanisation lead to lack of planning?

Population grows faster than planning. Municipalities cannot provide housing and infrastructure quickly enough. Urban growth becomes difficult to manage.

List four consequences of poor urban planning.

Urban sprawl Housing shortages Traffic congestion Poor service delivery

How does lack of planning contribute to urban sprawl?

Without proper zoning and development controls, cities expand uncontrollably into surrounding rural land.

How does lack of planning affect natural environments?

Loss of agricultural land Destruction of natural vegetation Habitat destruction Increased pollution

What is zoning?

The planning process that divides land into different uses such as residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.

How can better planning reduce urban problems?

Proper zoning Controlled development Better transport planning Efficient land use Improved service provision

Give four solutions to lack of planning.

Better municipal planning Protect green belts Effective zoning laws Urban renewal programmes

Define urban sprawl.

The uncontrolled outward expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land.

Give four causes of urban sprawl.

Rapid urbanisation Housing demand Population growth Poor planning

State four negative impacts of urban sprawl.

Loss of farmland Habitat destruction Increased travel distances Higher infrastructure costs

How can urban sprawl be reduced?

Densification Green belts Better planning Mixed land use Compact city development

Define urban decay (urban blight).

The deterioration of buildings and infrastructure in a once-functioning part of the city.

Where does urban decay commonly occur?

Older parts of the city, especially the inner city and transition zone.

Give five causes of urban decay.

Lack of maintenance Businesses relocating High crime Poverty Abandoned buildings

What are the effects of urban decay?

Falling property values Crime Vandalism Dirty environment Loss of investment

Explain urban renewal.

The redevelopment and improvement of deteriorated urban areas through renovation, rebuilding and investment.

Give four examples of urban renewal.

Renovating buildings Improving public spaces Restoring historical buildings Developing parks and green areas

How does urban renewal improve cities?

Attracts investment Creates jobs Reduces crime Improves living conditions Increases property values

Define housing shortage.

A situation where there are not enough formal houses to accommodate the urban population.

Why are housing shortages common in South Africa?

Rapid urbanisation Population growth Housing backlog Limited government resources

What usually develops because of housing shortages?

Informal settlements (shack settlements).

Describe typical informal houses.

They are built from corrugated iron, wood, cardboard, plastic, scrap metal and other available materials.

Why are informal houses vulnerable?

Fire Flooding Strong winds Poor sanitation Disease

State four ways housing shortages can be addressed.

RDP housing Government subsidies Self-help housing Site-and-service schemes

What is self-help housing?

A housing scheme where people build their own homes with government assistance and community labour.

How do local authorities support self-help housing?

Clear land Provide water Provide sanitation Supply basic infrastructure

Define overcrowding.

Too many people living in a space beyond what is safe and healthy.

Give five causes of overcrowding.

Rural-urban migration Housing shortages Poverty Population growth High unemployment

State six problems caused by overcrowding.

Disease spreads rapidly Crime increases Pollution Pressure on services Poor sanitation Poor quality of life

How does overcrowding affect health?

Diseases spread easily. Sanitation deteriorates. Respiratory illnesses increase. Mental stress increases.

Give four solutions to overcrowding.

Build more housing Skills development Job creation Better planning

Define traffic congestion.

A situation where transport networks cannot cope with the volume of vehicles using them.

Give five causes of traffic congestion.

Increased car ownership Poor public transport Grid street patterns Rapid urbanisation Peak-hour traffic

State six effects of traffic congestion.

Air pollution Noise pollution Wasted fuel Lost productivity Stress Longer travel times

Name six ways traffic congestion can be reduced.

Improve public transport Park-and-ride schemes Carpooling Ring roads Bus/taxi lanes Flexitime

Why is the Gautrain an example of sustainable transport?

It provides a fast alternative to private vehicles, reducing congestion and emissions.

What is a park-and-ride scheme?

A system where commuters park outside the city and complete their journey using public transport.

What is carpooling?

Two or more people sharing one vehicle to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Define service provision.

The delivery of essential services such as water, electricity, sanitation, roads and refuse removal.

Why is service provision difficult in rapidly growing cities?

Population grows faster than infrastructure. Informal settlements develop quickly. Municipal resources are limited.

List six basic services municipalities should provide.

Clean water Electricity Sanitation Refuse removal Roads Stormwater drainage

What problems arise from poor service provision?

Disease outbreaks Illegal electricity connections Pollution Poor sanitation Water shortages Service delivery protests

Give six solutions to poor service provision.

Build reservoirs Extend water pipelines Install prepaid electricity meters Improve refuse removal Recycling programmes Better municipal management

Explain why rapid urbanisation places pressure on service provision.

As cities grow rapidly, demand for housing, water, electricity, sanitation, roads, schools, healthcare and waste removal increases faster than municipalities can provide them, resulting in shortages and declining service quality.

Define an informal settlement.

An area where people live in informal houses built without official planning or legal permission, usually lacking adequate services and infrastructure.

Define a slum.

A densely populated urban area lacking one or more basic conditions of decent housing, adequate sanitation, clean water, durable housing or sufficient living space.

Why do informal settlements develop?

Rapid urbanisation Housing shortages Poverty Rural-urban migration Unemployment High cost of formal housing

Where are informal settlements usually located?

On vacant land Near industries Along railway lines Along rivers On steep slopes On the urban fringe Close to employment opportunities

Why are informal settlements often located near industries?

Residents want to live close to employment opportunities and reduce transport costs.

Why do people continue living in informal settlements?

Close to jobs Cannot afford formal housing Waiting for government housing Better opportunities than rural areas

Name common building materials used in informal settlements.

Corrugated iron Wood Plastic Cardboard Scrap metal Zinc sheets Recycled materials

Why are shack fires common?

Houses are close together. Flammable building materials. Illegal electricity connections. Candles and paraffin stoves. Open flames.

Why do shack fires increase during winter?

Greater use of heaters. More candles and paraffin stoves. People stay indoors longer. Strong winds spread fires quickly.

List eight problems experienced in informal settlements.

Housing shortages Crime Disease Flooding Fires Poor sanitation Pollution Poor service delivery