Geography

Megacity

A city with a population of more than 10 million people.

Urbanisation

The increasing proportion of people living in cities.

Infrastructure

Essential facilities such as roads, schools, hospitals and electricity.

Urban sprawl

The outward expansion of a city into surrounding rural areas.

Population density

The number of people living per square kilometre.

Urban decay

The deterioration of buildings, services and areas within a city.

Urban renewal

Improving and redeveloping run-down urban areas.

Urban consolidation

Increasing housing density within existing urban areas.

Conurbation

Neighbouring towns or cities that grow and join together.

Slum

A poor urban area with overcrowded housing and inadequate services.

Rural area

An area with a small population, low density and open spaces.

Urban area

An area with a large population, high density and many services.

Positive impacts of urban growth

More jobs and improved access to education and healthcare.

Negative impacts of urban growth

Traffic congestion and pollution.

Where are most major urban areas located?

Near coastlines, rivers, waterways and transport routes.

Why are cities often located near water?

For drinking water, transport, trade and industry.

Habitat destruction

The removal or damage of natural environments.

Impacts of urban sprawl

Habitat destruction, traffic congestion and loss of farmland.

How can urban sprawl be reduced?

Urban consolidation, higher-density housing and improved public transport.

Urban decline

When an urban area becomes less attractive due to deteriorating buildings and services.

Causes of urban decline

Business closures, unemployment and population decline.

Economic impacts of urban decline

Reduced investment and fewer employment opportunities.

Population pyramid

A graph showing the age and gender structure of a population.

Expanding population pyramid

A wide base and narrow top, showing many young people.

Stable population pyramid

A relatively balanced population with a steady population size.

Diminishing population pyramid

Low birth rates and an ageing or potentially shrinking population.

Wide base on a population pyramid

A high birth rate and a large proportion of young people.

Narrow base on a population pyramid

A low birth rate and fewer young people.

Sides of a population pyramid

Usually males on the left and females on the right.

Challenges in less developed countries

Poor sanitation, overcrowding, unemployment and limited healthcare.

Transition countries

Countries experiencing social and economic changes during development.

Challenges in transition countries

Rapid urbanisation, pollution, inequality and housing pressure.

Developed countries

Countries with high economic development and well-developed infrastructure.

Challenges in developed countries

Expensive housing, urban sprawl, traffic and pollution.

Social challenges of slums

Overcrowding, poor healthcare, limited education and safety concerns.

Environmental challenges of slums

Water pollution, waste problems and poor sanitation.

Economic challenges of slums

Unemployment, low wages and poverty.

Causes of slums

Rapid urbanisation, poverty, unemployment and lack of affordable housing.

Australian population distribution

Most Australians live along the coast, especially in the east and south-east.

Why is inland Australia sparsely populated?

Dry conditions, water shortages, extreme temperatures and fewer jobs.

Distribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Across Australia, including cities, regional areas and remote communities.

BosWash

A US urban corridor connecting Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.

SanSan

A Californian urban corridor including San Francisco and San Diego.

Australian urban corridor

The urban corridor connecting Sydney and Newcastle.

Characteristics of European cities

Historic buildings, public transport and narrow older streets.

Mixed-use development

Combining housing, shops, businesses and services in one area.

Social consequences of urban growth

Effects on people, such as overcrowding and pressure on services.

Environmental consequences of urban growth

Pollution, habitat destruction and increased waste.

Economic consequences of urban growth

More investment, businesses and employment opportunities.

Newcastle case study

A coastal city in NSW that has experienced urban growth, decline and renewal.

Newcastle East End

An area that experienced urban decline around Hunter Street Mall.

Examples of urban decay in Newcastle

Empty shops, underused buildings and deteriorating streets.

Impacts of urban decay in Newcastle

Reduced business activity, fewer jobs and abandoned buildings.

East End Village Project

A revitalisation project improving Hunter Street and surrounding public spaces.

Examples of urban renewal in Newcastle

Improved footpaths, lighting, landscaping and cycling infrastructure.

Urban consolidation in Newcastle

Building apartments and redeveloping existing urban land.

Benefits of urban consolidation

Better use of infrastructure, more housing and less outward expansion.

Recreational spaces

Parks, beaches and sporting facilities.

Why are recreational spaces important?

They improve health, social connections, tourism and the environment.

Newcastle recreational spaces

Foreshore Park, Nobbys Beach and King Edward Park.

Newcastle High Speed Rail

A proposed faster rail connection between Newcastle and Sydney.

Proposed Newcastle–Sydney HSR journey

An approximately one-hour journey.

Positive impacts of High Speed Rail

Improved transport, tourism, jobs and investment.

Possible negative impacts of High Speed Rail

More pressure on housing, infrastructure and services.

Bar graph

A graph used to compare categories or locations.

Line graph

A graph used to show changes over time.

Choropleth map

A map using colours or shades to show geographic data.

Map legend

A key explaining the symbols and colours on a map.

Map scale

Shows the relationship between map distance and real distance.

North arrow

A symbol showing the direction of north.

Grid reference

A system used to locate places on a map.

Coordinates

Numbers used to identify a geographic location.

Increase

A value becomes larger.

Decrease

A value becomes smaller.

Stable

A value remains relatively consistent.

Uneven distribution

Features are not spread equally across an area.

PEEEL

Point, Evidence, Explain, Elaborate, Link.

Point

The main argument or answer.

Evidence

Facts, statistics or examples supporting your point.

Explain

Show how or why the evidence supports your point.

Elaborate

Add further detail or explain a consequence.

Link

Connect your paragraph back to the question.