Geography - Urban Futures

What is urbanisation?

It is the increase in the amount of people living in urban areas such as towns or cities.

What announcement did the UN make in 2007 regarding urban population?

For the first time, more than 50% of the world’s population lived in urban areas.

What is settlement hierarchy?

A classification of settlements based on their size and shape.

What type of services do small settlements provide?

Low-order services such as post offices.

What characterizes a megacity?

An urban area with over 10 million people living there.

How many megacities are predicted by 2030?

The number is predicted to increase from 28 to 41.

What defines a world city?

Cities that are centers for trade and business and hold global influence.

What are some push factors for urbanisation?

Natural disasters, war and conflict, mechanisation, and drought.

What are some pull factors for urbanisation?

More jobs, better education and healthcare, increased quality of life, and following family members.

What are some social consequences of rapid urbanisation in Lagos, Nigeria?

Many live without electricity, high disease rates, and low life expectancy.

What economic challenges does Lagos face due to rapid urbanisation?

Business is limited due to poor infrastructure.

What is suburbanisation?

The movement of people from city centers to the outskirts.

What is counter-urbanisation?

The movement of people back into urban areas from rural or suburban areas.

What is informal housing?

Housing built on land that does not belong to those who are building it.

What is a conurbation?

A region comprising multiple cities or towns that have merged to form one continuous urban area.

What is Leeds's significance in the UK?

It has the fastest rate of job growth and is the third largest manufacturing center.

What challenges does Leeds face concerning housing?

There is a lack of affordable housing, especially for the young generation.

What is a major environmental challenge in Rio de Janeiro?

Dangerous levels of pollution due to rapid urbanisation.

What self-help schemes have been implemented in the favelas of Rio?

Basic materials have been provided to improve homes with safe electricity and sewage pipes.

What are the consequences of rapid urbanisation in LIDCs?

Little official housing available, infrastructure struggles, increased crime rates, and pollution.

What is urban sprawl?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding countryside.

What are green belts?

Areas of open land around cities that restrict urban development to preserve rural space.

What is gentrification?

The process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, often displacing lower-income residents.

What is a slum?

A densely populated urban area characterized by substandard housing and poor living conditions.

What is urban renewal?

The redevelopment of areas within a city that are falling into disrepair.

What is public transportation?

A system of transport that offers shared transit options to the public, such as buses and trains.

What is a township?

An administrative division that can serve both urban and rural areas.

What are walkable cities?

Urban areas designed to prioritize pedestrians, promoting walking and reducing reliance on cars.

What is smart growth?

An urban planning approach that aims to create sustainable communities and minimize sprawl.

What role do parks play in urban areas?

They provide recreational spaces, promote biodiversity, and improve overall quality of life.