geog urban issues

what is urbanisation

the process by which an increasing percentage of a country’s population comes to live in town + cities

what are megacities

population over 10 million

• they are sprawling into rural areas bc of high populations

HIC’s global urban trends

• slow/declining rate of urban growth, many moving to rural areas due to over crowding

NEE’s global urban trends

• rapid urban growth, rural-urban migration

LIC’s global urban trends

fastest rates of urbanisation

factors affecting rate of urbanisation

• speed of economic development

• rural-urban migration

• natural increase

push factors

unemployment, inaccessibility, war, crime, poverty, bad healthcare, famine etc

pull factors

freedom of speech, cheap land, family, not hazardous, healthcare, education, better lifestyle etc

what is the multiplier effect

as a city grows and improves it attracts more attention (tourism/trade)

where is lagos

nigeria, africa

what is the regional importance of Lagos

• many jobs

• transport hub

• education and heathcare

what is the national importance of lagos

• home to 10% of nigerias population and 80% of industry

• Nigeria’s exports and imports usually pass through lagos’s bay

• centre of nigeria’s film industry

international importance of lagos

• main financial centre of west Africa

• 80% of flights to west africa go into lagos airport

• venue for major sporting events

• crude oil hub

main causes of lagos population growth

rural-urban migration

• people are forced to leave the countryside by push factors such as a lack of jobs and drought. They are attracted to Lagos by pull factors such as job opportunities and the change of better-paid.

Natural increase

• when birth rates are higher than death rates. The population of Lagos is relatively young hence a high birth rate.

How has urbanisation helped Nigeria to develop?

Life expectancy and wealth have all significantly improved

• education, health care and employment opportunities are all better in Lagos.

Access to services (health and education)

• greater access to doctors, clinics and hospitals

• all children are offered a basic education by the Lagos State Government for their first 9 years, education a significant pull factor in attracting people to Lagos, particularly from rural areas

Access to resources (water supply and energy)

• Lagos offers a reasonable water supply, particularly when compared to rural areas, many people access freshwater by digging wells or from public taps. Others buy fresh water from water vendors. The wealthier residents of Lagos tend to have fresh water piped to their homes

• many rural areas in Nigeria do not have access to lighting and power, there are frequent power cuts

• Around 80% of the population of Lagos relies on diesel generators, however, these are one of the main causes of air pollution in the city.

what are squatter settlements

collection of buildings where the people have no legal rights to the land upon which they are built.

They provide housing for many of the world’s poorest people, offering basic shelter often constructed from scrap materials, including wood, plastic sheeting, and corrugated metal, when first built.

how much of lagos has piped water

10%

what are the issues with getting water from street vendors

u dont know where they sourced the water from, could be ridden with sewage and bacteria and water ridden diseases like chlorea

how many people work in formal sectors jobs in lagos and what kind of jobs are they

• 40% of population work in formal sector/paying taxes etc

• waste recycling, car washing, and street vending. These jobs are often dangerous, poorly paid, and unregulated.

crime in lagos

Crime rates are very high in Lagos, especially those involving drugs, vandalism and theft. Corruption, bribery, assault and armed robbery rates are high.

Managing Environmental Issues in Lagos

waste

• Only forty per cent of the 10,000 tonnes of daily waste produced in Lagos is collected, collected waste is dumped in landfill sites such as Olisosun. Workers collect and sell materials such as plastic bottles and clothing.

traffic/air pollution/deaths and late to work etc

• Lagos is one of the most congested cities in the world. On average, commuters spend three hours in traffic each day, leading to lots of air pollution and car accidents

• traffic causes lateness to jobs, making an impact on the economy, possibly missing important meetings etc

How can urban planning improve life in Lagos?

• challenging as its population increases by over 600,000 people each year

• to take advantage of the vast water, Squatter settlements like Makoko are already built on stilts on the edge of Lagos Lagoon.

• In 2014, a prototype floating school called the Makoko Floating School was built. It had classrooms that could hold 60 children at a time. It was also used as a community centre when not being used for lessons.

uk case study of how urban change has created a cultural mix, recreation, and entertainment opportunities

Shoreditch, a district in the East End of London

what was shoreditch

Shoreditch was once a run-down inner-city area, with ageing factories and warehouses, these factors made ppl leave the area

In their place, many Bangladeshi immigrants moved in

What is the cultural mix found in Shoreditch?

Shoreditch boasts a diverse cultural blend

the old industrial structures have transformed into residential flats and office spaces.

Additionally, pubs and bars have been revamped and repurposed into restaurants and art galleries.

what is gentrification

the process where a poorer, urban area is redeveloped and upgraded, attracting wealthier residents,

which can lead to higher property values and the displacement of lower-income residents

What are the opportunities for recreation and entertainment in Shoreditch?

Gentrification has caused a shift in the population of Shoreditch, with older residents and Bangladeshi families leaving due to increasing rents and property prices.

In their place, young professionals in industries such as finance and the arts have moved in (due to the large companies being based here)

Making the area one of London’s liveliest areas. During the day, the bustling cafes cater to the younger crowd, while at night, the clubs and bars enliven the streets.

what was stratford once like

It had one of the most deprived communities in the country, where unemployment was high and levels of health were poor.

There was a lack of infrastructure and the environmental quality was poor.

social benefits

Five new neighbourhoods built, with lots of green spaces planned in with around 33,000 new hosues and a third of those houses will be affordable.

A new academy was built, which is used to educate pupils between the ages of 3 to 18.

economic benefits

Stratford is now a well-connected area of London, which allows commuters to travel to work easily.

New jobs in construction and tourism have created a multiplier effect.

It is estimated that over 100,000 new jobs could be created by 2030, bringing more even more money into the area.

environmental benefits

The park is sustainable in a number of ways, eg walking and cycling routes, the provision of public transport, the water-efficient design of homes and the protection of green spaces and natural habitats.

water conservation in urban areas

dual flush toilets in businesses and homes, collecting rainwater for gardens and the use of water meters in properties

energy conservation in urban areas

insulating businesses and homes, use of double and triple glazing in buildings, use of low-energy lighting and appliances

waste recycling in urban areas

recycling of household and commercial waste, adopting a 'reduce, reuse, recycle' policy, using 'grey' water (wastewater from domestic activities like showering, laundry, and washing dishes) to flush toilets in public buildings

creating green spaces in urban areas

increasing the number of parks and planting more trees eg, Queen Elizabeth Park in London

transport in urban areas

London Underground - the extension of the Jubilee Line has encouraged more people to use public transport.

Oyster Card - this is an integrated travel payment method which allows people to use buses, trains and tubes quickly and efficiently.

Congestion Charging Zone - this has discouraged people from driving their own vehicles in central London. A fee is charged to any vehicle travelling in central London between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Bike sharing scheme - bicycles, commonly known as 'Boris Bikes', can be self hired in many public places in London for as little as £2 for short journeys. This has encouraged many people to cycle, reducing traffic congestion.

Give two push factors that encourage people to leave rural areas in LICs/NEEs

food shortages / poor access to education/health care / limited job opportunities / low wages / conflict / natural disasters.

Give one way a major city in a LIC/NEE is nationally important.

lagos

• home to 80% of Nigeria’s industry

Outline one problem caused by dereliction in cities.

Derelict buildings may attract pests which can spread disease.

Empty buildings may be used for crime which can make people frightened so they move away.

Wasteland and old factories look unattractive which can discourage businesses locating there.

how does water conservation make a city more sustainable

collecting rainwater on roofs

permeable paving to mimic the water cycle, filtered through the soil so improves water quality and slows flow into drainage systems causing floods

use of grey water for toilet flushing etc

creating low water demand appliances to conserves overall water supplies

how does energy conservation make a city more sustainable

increase use of renewable energy resources like solar panels

better building design the climate, reduce need for aircon in summer and heating in winter

overall education

overall what does conserving water and energy do

reduces need for fossil fuels

how is waste recycling used in urban areas

recycling schemes like coloured bins and household sorting which aids sustainability through reducing landfill

how is traffic management effective

promotes public transport and creates green zones making area more pleasant and socially sustainable

plants have a cooling effect so less need for aircon in summer

reduces demand for fossil fuels