changing economic world and urban issues and challenges

Birth rate

The number of births in a year per 1000 of the total population.

Commonwealth

A voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states, mainly territories of the former British Empire.

Death rate

The number of deaths in a year per 1000 of the total population.

De-industrialisation

The decline of a country's traditional manufacturing industry due to exhaustion of raw materials, loss of markets, and increasing competition from NEEs.

Demographic Transition Model

A model showing how populations change over time in terms of their birth rates, death rates, and total population size.

Development

The progress of a country in terms of economic growth, technology, and human welfare.

Development gap

The widening difference in standards of living and wellbeing between the world’s economically richest and poorest countries.

European Union

An international organisation of 27 European countries aimed at reducing trade barriers and increasing cooperation among members.

Fairtrade

A system ensuring producers in LICs and NEEs receive fair prices for their goods, improving income and working conditions.

Globalisation

The process creating a more connected world, increasing the movements of goods and people worldwide.

Gross National Income (GNI)

A measurement of economic activity calculated by dividing the total national income by the size of the population.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A method of measuring development combining GDP per capita, life expectancy, and adult literacy.

Industrial structure

The relative proportion of the workforce employed in different sectors of the economy.

Infant mortality

The average number of deaths of children under 1 year per 1000 live births per year.

Information technologies

Technologies like computers, internet, mobile phones, and satellites that speed up communication.

Intermediate technology

Technology suited to the needs and resources of local people, often simple and easily maintained.

International aid

Money, goods, and services provided by governments or institutions to improve quality of life in another country.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Literacy rate

The percentage of people able to read and write at a basic level.

Microfinance loans

Very small loans given to people in LICs to help them start small businesses.

North-south divide (UK)

Economic and cultural differences between Southern and Northern England.

Post-industrial economy

An economy where most employment is in service industries.

Science and business parks

Purpose-built areas for offices and warehouses, often near universities and high-tech industries.

Service industries (tertiary industries)

Economic activities providing services like education, healthcare, and entertainment.

Trade

The buying and selling of goods and services between countries.

Transnational Corporation (TNC)

A company operating in more than one country, often with well-known brands.

Brownfield site

Land that has been used, abandoned, and now awaits new use, commonly found in urban areas.

Dereliction

Abandoned buildings and wasteland.

Economic opportunities

Chances for individuals to improve their standard of living through employment.

Greenfield site

A plot of undeveloped land, often in rural areas or on the edge of urban areas.

Inequalities

Differences in wealth, wellbeing, and access to resources or services.

Integrated transport systems

Transport methods that connect to provide smoother journeys and increase public transport use.

Mega-cities

Urban areas with a total population exceeding ten million people.

Migration

The movement of people from one area to another with the intent to settle.

Natural increase

The birth rate minus the death rate of a population.

Pollution

The presence of harmful chemicals or substances in the environment.

Rural-urban fringe

A transition zone between built-up areas and countryside, often with mixed land uses.

Sanitation

Measures designed to protect public health, including clean water and sewage disposal.

Social deprivation

The extent to which an individual or area cannot access essential services.

Social opportunities

Chances for individuals to enhance their quality of life through accessible education and healthcare.

Squatter settlement

A poor-quality housing area often lacking basic amenities and developed spontaneously.

Sustainable urban living

Living in cities with minimal environmental damage and secure economic bases.

Traffic congestion

Occurs when traffic volume exceeds road capacity, leading to slow traffic flow.

Urban greening

Increasing and preserving public open spaces in urban areas.

Urbanisation

The process where a growing percentage of a population lives in towns and cities.

Urban regeneration

Revival of old urban areas through modern facilities or redevelopment.

Urban sprawl

Unplanned growth of urban areas into surrounding rural areas.

Waste recycling

The process of reusing materials found in waste.