2.2.5 There are causes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in LiDCs

What are the reasons for rapid urbanisation in LiDCs?

• Rural — urban migration

• Internal growth

What are the push factors of R-U migration?

• Opportunities for employment other than agricultural work are limited

• Rural areas have less services like education and healthcare

• Wages in rural areas are at poverty levels

• Poorer infrastructure like transport, electricity supplies, sewage, sanitation and clean water

What are the pull factors of R-U migration

• More opportunities for employment

• Better wages

• Urban areas have an extensive transport system, accessible for work

• Overall better quality of life

• Better healthcare and education systems

What is internal growth and how does it contribute to rapid urbanisation?

Once people arrive in cities and find employment and housing, and they settle. People tend to have children, especially in LiDCs where cities have a large youthful population.

This increases the birth rates in those areas, leading to a rapid rate of population growth.

By contrast, many cities in ACs face an ageing population and declining numbers.

What are the consequences of rapid urban growth in LiDCs?

• Social - traffic congestion, inadequate housing, longer wait times for education and healthcare

• Economic - increased demand of essentials and housing, therefore overall increase in prices

• Environmental - poor air quality, severe water shortages