Geography ✿ Urban futures

urbanisation

growth of population living in urban areas

what is the rate of urbanisation like in an AC?

• ACs are more economically developed

• so urbanisation happens earlier, so people already live in urban areas

• so there is slow rate of urbanisation

what is the rate of urbanisation like in an LIDC?

• LIDCs are less economically developed

• not many of the population currently live in urban areas

• so there is high rate of urbanisation

megacity

an urban area with a population of over 10 million people

world city

a city which has an influence over the whole world, through trade or business

push factors

factors which make someone want to leave an area

pull factor

factors which make someone want to stay in an area

give 3 push factors for urbanisation in LIDCs

• frequent natural disasters

• droughts make land unproductive for farmers

• mechanisation of agriculture, as machines replace workers causing unemployment

give 3 pull factors for urbanisation in LIDCs

• more jobs in urban areas

• access to better education

• better quality of life

internal growth

when the birth rate is higher than the death rate

Explain how migration changes the growth and character of cities (ACs) [3]

• most young people move to the city

• in search of jobs, increasing the growth in the informal sector

• young people then have children, increasing population

Suggest how rapid urban growth can cause consequences in LIDCs [3]

• cities become overcrowded

• shanty towns are built as homes aren’t as affordable

• houses are crammed together so diseases are spread easily

suburbanisation

the movement of people from the city centre to the suburbs (outskirts)

give 3 push factors for suburbanisation (leave city centres)

• city centres are more overcrowded, polluted and have higher crime rates than in the outskirts

• city centres don’t have green spaces making it less appealing

• slum clearance moved people to council houses on the outskirts

give 3 pull factors for suburbanisation (move into suburban/ outskirts)

• lower population and more green spaces, making it safe and clean

• rent is cheaper which attracts businesses, jobs and services

• they offer larger homes at affordable prices for families

explain a consequence for rapid suburbanisation [3]

• new housing in the suburbs can affect wildlife habitats

• most people in the suburbs own cars to commute to work

• increasing number of cars on the road, leading to congestion or pollution

counter-urbanisation

movement of people away from urban areas to rural areas

give 2 push factors for rapid counter-urbanisation

• urban areas are often overcrowded, increasing congestion on roads and air pollution

• housing is often expensive

give 3 pull factors to why rapid counter-urbanisation happens

• houses in rural areas are bigger and affordable

• improved communication services, making it easy to do work from home

• improved public transport in rural areas, making it easier to commute to work

explain an economic consequence for rapid counter-urbanisation

• increase in business in rural areas, as new residents are often professionals/ retired

• but some may close as wealthier people can commute to urban areas to shop

explain a social consequence for rapid counter-urbanisation

• increased demand for housing in rural areas

• younger people may not be able to afford housing anymore, making the area dominated by older people rather than families

• schools may close as there are less families with children

re-urbanisation

movement of people back into urban areas