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 most of the population 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 opportunities

• 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 (city centres)

• city centres are more overcrowded, polluted and have higher crime rates

• no green spaces makes it less appealing

• slum clearance move people to council houses on the outskirts

give 3 pull factors for suburban areas

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

• rent is cheaper which attracts businesses, jobs and services

• larger homes with 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

• leading to congestion or pollution

counter-urbanisation

movement of people away from urban areas to rural areas

give 2 push factors for counter-urbanisation

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

• housing is expensive

give 3 pull factors to rural areas

• 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 counter-urbanisation [2]

• 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 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

• schools may close as there are less families with children

re-urbanisation

movement of people back into urban areas