In-depth Notes on Global Urbanisation and Urban Change
INTRODUCTION
The global urban pattern is changing due to three main factors:
Urbanisation: Increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas.
Urban Growth: Rise in population within towns and cities.
Urbanism: Spread of urban social and behavioral characteristics across society.
URBANISATION OF THE GLOBE
Current urbanisation levels are relatively recent, with significant changes occurring since the end of the 19th century.
In 1890, only Britain, Northwestern Europe, and the USA had over 25% urbanization.
Less than 3% of the global population lived in towns and cities.
Urban growth has spread notably in Europe, North America, and is accelerating in Africa and Asia.
Figure 4.5: Most countries face ongoing urbanisation, transforming a predominantly rural to an urban world in the last fifty years.
Table 4.1: More Developed Regions (MDRs) and Less Developed Regions (LDRs)
MDRs: Over 75% urban population by 2025; urban growth is stabilizing or reversing in some areas.
LDRs: Rapid urbanisation continues, with projections indicating 60% urban by 2025.
CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF URBAN POPULATION
UN estimates: Urban population expected to grow nearly sevenfold from 738 million in 1950 to 5.1 billion by 2025.
Urban population distribution is uneven:
In 1970, MDRs and LDRs had similar urban populations (677 million each).
Post-1970, urban dwellers in LDRs are now dominant (1.7 billion) compared to MDRs (868 million).
Major urban growth in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
By 2025, 4 billion people in LDRs are projected to be urban dwellers.
CAUSES OF URBAN GROWTH
Urban growth results from natural population increase and net migration to cities.
Migration accounts for a significant portion of urban growth, with differing impacts in regions.
Findley (1993): Estimated 54% of migration contributed to urban growth in twenty-four developing countries from 1975 to 1990.
USA experiences more internal migration than all LDRs combined.
SETTLEMENT SIZE
Urban population primarily resides in small to medium-sized settlements:
Most cities have fewer than 500,000 inhabitants, serving as links between urban and rural areas.
The number of cities with over 10 million increased from 1 in 1950 to 27 predicted by 2015, primarily in LDRs.
MILLION CITIES, MEGACITIES, AND METACITIES
Urban population is increasingly concentrated in megacities and million cities.
Significant growth in LDR megacities since 1994.
Tokyo remains the largest urban agglomeration, projected to grow further.
Table 4.5: Number of megacities growing significantly, with a projected 33 by 2015.
URBANISATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Clear correlation between urbanisation rates and economic development levels.
Most of the world's largest cities sit within the largest economies, indicating a strong link.
Economic activities and land ownership significantly influence urban growth.
Table 4.4: Urban agglomeration sizes and their relations to economic structures.
URBANISATION CYCLE
The urbanisation cycle includes distinct phases:
Primate City Phase: Concentration of growth in dominant cities.
Intermediate City Phase: Suburbanization leading to growth of smaller cities.
Small City Phase: Decentralisation where shrinking large cities lead to growth in smaller urban areas.
Reurbanisation: Recovery in urban cores after decline, spurred by young populations seeking urban amenities.
CONCLUSION
Urbanisation trends show complexity and variability by region, particularly contrasting between MDRs and LDRs, highlighting evolving patterns and future implications for global urban landscapes.
Further Reading: Notable books and journal articles addressing urban geography, development patterns, and case studies.
The global urban pattern is changing due to three main factors:
Urbanisation: This refers to the increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas, which has accelerated dramatically in recent decades due to economic opportunities, advancement in infrastructure, and migration.
Urban Growth: This encompasses the rise in population within towns and cities, influenced by factors such as natural population growth rates exceeding rural areas and significant migration from rural to urban settings.
Urbanism: This describes the spread of urban social and behavioral characteristics across society, including lifestyle changes, cultural shifts, and demographic trends that accompany urbanization.
URBANISATION OF THE GLOBE
Current urbanisation levels are relatively recent, with significant changes occurring since the end of the 19th century. For instance:
In 1890, only Britain, Northwestern Europe, and the USA had over 25% urbanization rates.
Less than 3% of the global population lived in towns and cities during that period.
Urban growth has notably spread in Europe and North America, but it is accelerating in regions such as Africa and Asia, leading to unprecedented urban expansion.
Figure 4.5: Illustrates the ongoing urbanisation process, illustrating the transformation of a predominantly rural world into a more urban one over the past fifty years.
Table 4.1: More Developed Regions (MDRs) and Less Developed Regions (LDRs):
MDRs are projected to have over 75% of their population in urban areas by 2025, although urban growth is stabilizing or reversing in some areas due to factors like declining birth rates and migration trends.
LDRs continue to experience rapid urbanisation, with projections indicating that they will reach around 60% urban by 2025 and may struggle to provide adequate infrastructure and services for the growing population.
CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF URBAN POPULATION
According to UN estimates, the urban population is expected to grow nearly sevenfold, with projections indicating an increase from 738 million in 1950 to approximately 5.1 billion by 2025.
The distribution of urban populations, however, is uneven:
In 1970, More Developed Regions (MDRs) and Less Developed Regions (LDRs) had similar urban populations, each housing around 677 million individuals.
Since then, LDRs have surpassed MDRs, now boasting urban dwellers numbering 1.7 billion compared to 868 million in MDRs.
Major urban growth has been particularly pronounced in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, indicating a pivotal shift in global demographics.
By 2025, it is projected that 4 billion people in LDRs will be residing in urban environments, leading to significant challenges in urban planning, housing, and resource allocation.
CAUSES OF URBAN GROWTH
Urban growth results primarily from natural population increase and net migration to cities, with various factors driving these trends:
Migration has a significant impact on urban growth, with differences observed in various regions. For instance:
A study by Findley (1993) estimated that 54% of migration contributed to urban growth in twenty-four developing countries between 1975 and 1990.
The USA, characterized by internal migration patterns, experiences more significant internal migration than all LDRs combined, shaping urbanization patterns distinctly.
SETTLEMENT SIZE
Urban populations primarily reside in small to medium-sized settlements, which highlights the decentralized nature of urban growth:
Most cities have fewer than 500,000 inhabitants and serve as vital links between urban and rural areas.
There has been a notable increase in the number of cities exceeding 10 million inhabitants, growing from only 1 in 1950 to a projected 27 by 2015, with most of these megacities situated in LDRs.
MILLION CITIES, MEGACITIES, AND METACITIES
Urban population is increasingly concentrated in megacities and million cities:
Since 1994, significant growth in megacities in LDRs has been observed, with Tokyo remaining the largest urban agglomeration and projected for further expansion.
Table 4.5 highlights the increasing number of megacities, with projections indicating 33 megacities by 2015, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban development.
URBANISATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
A clear correlation exists between urbanisation rates and economic development levels:
Most of the world's largest cities are found within the largest economies, emphasizing the strong link between urbanization and economic opportunities.
Economic activities, such as manufacturing and services, coupled with land ownership, significantly influence patterns of urban growth.
Table 4.4 illustrates the relationship between urban agglomeration sizes and their respective economic structures, shedding light on how urban growth can affect economic health.
URBANISATION CYCLE
The urbanisation cycle comprises distinct phases that cities transition through:
Primate City Phase: Concentration of growth occurs in dominant cities, which become focal points of economic and cultural activity.
Intermediate City Phase: This phase is marked by suburbanization, leading to the growth of smaller urban centers as populations begin to spread out from major hubs.
Small City Phase: Decentralisation leads to shrinking large cities, while smaller urban areas begin to gain prominence and grow in population.
Reurbanisation: A recovery in urban cores takes place after decline, often spurred by young, vibrant populations seeking urban amenities and lifestyle.
CONCLUSION
Urbanisation trends are complex and exhibit significant variability across regions, particularly contrasting between MDRs and LDRs. Such dynamics highlight the evolving patterns of urbanization and the implications they carry for global urban landscapes.
Further Reading
Consider exploring notable books and journal articles addressing urban geography, development patterns, and relevant case studies to deepen your understanding of these critical issues.
The global urban pattern is changing due to three main factors:
Urbanisation: This refers to the increase in the proportion of the population living in urban areas, which has accelerated dramatically in recent decades due to economic opportunities, advancement in infrastructure, and migration.
Urban Growth: This encompasses the rise in population within towns and cities, influenced by factors such as natural population growth rates exceeding rural areas and significant migration from rural to urban settings.
Urbanism: This describes the spread of urban social and behavioral characteristics across society, including lifestyle changes, cultural shifts, and demographic trends that accompany urbanization.
URBANISATION OF THE GLOBE
Current urbanisation levels are relatively recent, with significant changes occurring since the end of the 19th century. For instance:
In 1890, only Britain, Northwestern Europe, and the USA had over 25% urbanization rates.
Less than 3% of the global population lived in towns and cities during that period.
Urban growth has notably spread in Europe and North America, but it is accelerating in regions such as Africa and Asia, leading to unprecedented urban expansion.
Figure 4.5: Illustrates the ongoing urbanisation process, illustrating the transformation of a predominantly rural world into a more urban one over the past fifty years.
Table 4.1: More Developed Regions (MDRs) and Less Developed Regions (LDRs):
MDRs are projected to have over 75% of their population in urban areas by 2025, although urban growth is stabilizing or reversing in some areas due to factors like declining birth rates and migration trends.
LDRs continue to experience rapid urbanisation, with projections indicating that they will reach around 60% urban by 2025 and may struggle to provide adequate infrastructure and services for the growing population.
CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF URBAN POPULATION
According to UN estimates, the urban population is expected to grow nearly sevenfold, with projections indicating an increase from 738 million in 1950 to approximately 5.1 billion by 2025.
The distribution of urban populations, however, is uneven:
In 1970, More Developed Regions (MDRs) and Less Developed Regions (LDRs) had similar urban populations, each housing around 677 million individuals.
Since then, LDRs have surpassed MDRs, now boasting urban dwellers numbering 1.7 billion compared to 868 million in MDRs.
Major urban growth has been particularly pronounced in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, indicating a pivotal shift in global demographics.
By 2025, it is projected that 4 billion people in LDRs will be residing in urban environments, leading to significant challenges in urban planning, housing, and resource allocation.
CAUSES OF URBAN GROWTH
Urban growth results primarily from natural population increase and net migration to cities, with various factors driving these trends:
Migration has a significant impact on urban growth, with differences observed in various regions. For instance:
A study by Findley (1993) estimated that 54% of migration contributed to urban growth in twenty-four developing countries between 1975 and 1990.
The USA, characterized by internal migration patterns, experiences more significant internal migration than all LDRs combined, shaping urbanization patterns distinctly.
SETTLEMENT SIZE
Urban populations primarily reside in small to medium-sized settlements, which highlights the decentralized nature of urban growth:
Most cities have fewer than 500,000 inhabitants and serve as vital links between urban and rural areas.
There has been a notable increase in the number of cities exceeding 10 million inhabitants, growing from only 1 in 1950 to a projected 27 by 2015, with most of these megacities situated in LDRs.
MILLION CITIES, MEGACITIES, AND METACITIES
Urban population is increasingly concentrated in megacities and million cities:
Since 1994, significant growth in megacities in LDRs has been observed, with Tokyo remaining the largest urban agglomeration and projected for further expansion.
Table 4.5 highlights the increasing number of megacities, with projections indicating 33 megacities by 2015, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban development.
URBANISATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
A clear correlation exists between urbanisation rates and economic development levels:
Most of the world's largest cities are found within the largest economies, emphasizing the strong link between urbanization and economic opportunities.
Economic activities, such as manufacturing and services, coupled with land ownership, significantly influence patterns of urban growth.
Table 4.4 illustrates the relationship between urban agglomeration sizes and their respective economic structures, shedding light on how urban growth can affect economic health.
URBANISATION CYCLE
The urbanisation cycle comprises distinct phases that cities transition through:
Primate City Phase: Concentration of growth occurs in dominant cities, which become focal points of economic and cultural activity.
Intermediate City Phase: This phase is marked by suburbanization, leading to the growth of smaller urban centers as populations begin to spread out from major hubs.
Small City Phase: Decentralisation leads to shrinking large cities, while smaller urban areas begin to gain prominence and grow in population.
Reurbanisation: A recovery in urban cores takes place after decline, often spurred by young, vibrant populations seeking urban amenities and lifestyle.
CONCLUSION
Urbanisation trends are complex and exhibit significant variability across regions, particularly contrasting between MDRs and LDRs. Such dynamics highlight the evolving patterns of urbanization and the implications they carry for global urban landscapes.
Further Reading
Consider exploring notable books and journal articles addressing urban geography, development patterns, and relevant case studies to deepen your understanding of these critical issues.