urban futures - mock revision

urbanisation

an increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas

process of urbanisation

when people move from rural areas into denser urban areas

urban area

a built-up area such as a city or town

rural area

an area of countryside

the distribution of ACs, EDCs, and LIDCs

• ACs are mostly located in Europe, North America and Oceania.

• EDCs are mostly located in Asia and South America.

• LIDCs are mostly located in Africa.

what is the general global pattern of urbanisation with contrasting levels of development?

• countries with very high urban growth rates are located in North America, Europe, Oceania and South America.

• these areas also tend to have many ACs and some EDCs.

• countries with lower urban growth rates are located in Africa and South Asia.

• these areas also tend to have many LIDs and some EDCs.

1950 - how did urban growth rates vary around the world with contrasting levels of development?

• majority of all countries across the world were less than 50% urban.

• the UK and Australia were the most developed and they had the highest urban growth rates; 75+% of their populations resided in urban areas.

• other ACs such as USA and Canada were 50 - 75% urban.

• Africa and southeast/east Asia were the least developed and had many LIDCs and EDCs; they were less than 25% urban.

2014 - how did urban growth rates vary around the world with contrasting levels of development?

• majority of all countries across the world were 50 - 75% urban.

• there were more ACs in Europe, e.g. Germany, Sweden. Japan is an AC.

• countries in North America, South America and Europe had the highest urban growth rates; 75+% of their populations resided in urban areas.

• countries that were LIDCs have developed into EDCs, so their percentage urban increases, e.g. Algeria.

• subsaharan Africa and south Asia were the least developed; they were less than 50% urban.

2050 - how will urban growth rates vary around the world with contrasting levels of development?

• majority of all countries across the world will be 75% urban or more.

• Africa is developing the slowest.

world city

an urban area that functions as a major player in the world economy, and has important functions in the global flow of capital

characteristics of world cities

• integration into the global economy - an important hub in the global economic system.

• headquarters of MNCs based in the city.

• financial services - home of an important stock exchange or major banks.

• a centre for innovation in business.

• a centre for media and communications, e.g. broadcasting and technology.

• highly rated universities, often specialising in research.

• high quality healthcare provision.

• important port facilities capable of handling bulk carriers.

other names for a ‘world city’

• global city

• alpha city

megacity

a metropolitan area with a total population in excess of 10 million people.

it can be a single metropolitan area, or two or more metropolitan areas that converge (conurbation, metropolis, metroplex).

characteristics of megacities

TBC

how has the distribution of megacities changed since 1950?

• In 1995, majority of major urban areas were located in North America and Europe. There were 2 megacities: Tokyo and New York.

• In 1975, major cities began to grow in southeast Asia and South America. There is 1 megacity in Africa (Cairo, Egypt).

• In 1995, many more major cities grow across Europe, southeast Asia, and in North and South America.

• in 2015, Asia had the most major cities. There were also many major cities in Europe, North America, and Latin America/South America.

what are the main causes of rapid urbanisation?

• rural-urban migration.

• natural increase.

• (internal growth).

natural increase

the natural growth of a population due to the number of births exceeding the number of deaths

natural increase 2

when a high proportion of young adults have many children, resulting in high birth rates.

there are also falling death rates due to improved midcal care and more babies being born than dying.

internal growth

when people who have moved into the cities have many children, leading to a growth in the population

rural-urban migration

the movement of people wihtin a country from the countryside to the cities, influenced by push or pull factors

push factors

factors which drive people away from rural areas

pull factors

factors which attract people and draw them to move to cities

examples of push factors

• unemployment/jobs limited to primary industries such as agriculturual work.

• low wages.

• crop failure due to natural hazards such as drought, or extreme weather.

• poor living conditions, lack of sanitation.

• poor health and education services.

• civil war.

• poor infrastructure, e.g. lack of electricity.

• diseases due to unreliable sources of clean water.

examples of pull factors

• more jobs.

• higher wages.

• better living conditions.

• better education.

• better healthcare and emergency services.

• better facilities.

• less chance of natural disasters.

where is rapid urbanisation occuring?

in LIDCs and EDCs

the causes of rapid urbanisation in LIDCs and EDCs

• LIDCs and EDCs tend to have cities with youthful populations, as the younger people in rural areas move to urban areas to get jobs that aren’t limited to primary industries like agricultural work.

• This causes these cities to experience rapid urbanisation, as a result of rural-urban migration.

• LIDCs and EDCs also tend to have high birth rates and many people will be of child-bearing age.

• This causes natural increase and leads to rapid natural growth.

social consequences of rapid urbanisation on LIDCs

• overcrowding, as there are too many people for existing housing, schools and hospitals.

• poor housing, as authorities can’t afford to pay for all the facilities and infrastructure that the growing population needs.

• tensions may develop between new arrivals and longer established residents.

• high crime rates.

economic consequences of rapid urbanisation on LIDCs

• high unemployment levels as there aren’t enough jobs for all the people.

• many people work but do not contribute taxes to the government so spending cannot match needs.

• city authorities cannot afford to plan and pay for all the facilities and infrastructure that the growing population needs.

environmental consequences of rapid urbanisation on LIDCs

• high pollution levels due to overcrowding.

• lack of green spaces as squatter settlements are built.

• reduction in the amount of inner city garden food growing areas.

• the city grows outwards as much new growth is on the edge of the built-up area.