2.3.2: Themes of Urbanisation / Counter-Urbanisation Flashcards
What are the 4 themes (in order)?
1) MASSIVE urban growth
2) Urbanisation in MICs and LICs- post WW1
3) Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
4) Urban Resurgence
Theme 1: MASSIVE urban growth
When did urbanisation first occur?
19th century Europe
Theme 1: MASSIVE urban growth
Why did urbanisation start?
Need for labour in new mining & manufacturing centres. Followed the mechanisation of agriculture.
Theme 1: MASSIVE urban growth
Where did urban areas develop in the UK?
Most urban areas developed around industry
The issue is that many of these have closed.
Theme 2: Urbanisation in MICs and LICs- post WW1
Why did urbanisation spread to different countries?
- Migration from countryside
- High rate of natural increase in towns.
Not as a result of economic development- often not enough jobs & often happens BEFORE jobs are available
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Timeline / amount of cities with large populations
1900: 2 cities with 1 mil+: London and paris
1950: 70 cities
2020: 350 very large cities, of which 8 have a population of 15 mil+, of which only 2 in HICs.
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Where are the majority of fast-growing cities?
LICs
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Trends of cities in China
There are 70 cities of 1 million+ but have grown less quickly due to Chinese government control of
- Migration to towns from countryside
- Family size
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Have cities in N American and W Europe grown or shrunk?
North American and Western European cities have shrunk due to counter-urbanisation
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
What is counter-urbanisation?
People moving away from the city.
Typically:
- Middle class
- Young, Middle-aged
- With children
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Evidence for counter-urbanisation?
- Long-distance commuter railway station
- Increased house prices
- Conversion of agricultural buildings to residences and offices
- Construction of ‘executive’ housing, often on greenfield sites.
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Example of a ‘suburbanised village’
Pangbourne, SW UK.
Aston Martin showroom in rural area, next to a station with trains to London- fuelled by central London wages.
Theme 3: Growth of very large cities, most not in HICs.
Negative impacts of suburbanisation?
- House prices rise, some locals forced to leave.
- Services may continue to close: Incomers continue to use urban providers, especially if online delivery available eg Ocado, rather than the village shop.
- lack of interaction, possible friction.
Theme 4: Urban Resurgence
What is urban resurgence?
Regeneration (Economic, physical, demographic) of a central urban area which has suffered a period of decline.
Theme 4: Urban Resurgence
What are the causes of urban decline?
- ECONOMIC: De-industrialisation eg Manchester, Leeds in 1970s & 80s. Loss of manufacturing jobs.
- Poor PHYSICAL environment
- POPULATION loss
Often together- eg Detroit
