9.1.2 Megacities Flashcards
Explain the term of mega city
As the growth of cities continues, the term megacity is used to describe cities with more than 10 million people
Outline the sprawl of mega cities around the world in 1950-2018
New York was the first megacity in 1950, with Tokyo 2nd
In 1975 there were 4 - New York, Tokyo, Osaka and Mexico City
By 2000 there were 15
In 2018 that rose to 33 with Tokyo having close to 37.3 million people
What is an estimated megacity number in 2025-2030?
By 2025-2030, it is estimated that around 630 million people will live in close to 43 megacities around the world
With Asia alone, having at least 33 megacities, including Mumbai and Delhi, India; Shanghai, China; Seoul, South Korea and Lagos in Nigeria
What are the 4 reasons for megacity ?
Economic development, population growth, economies of scale, multiplier effect
Why is economic development is a reason for growth of megacity?
Megacities dominate national and regional economies of countries
Many companies have their headquarters in megacities
Encourages population growth which leads to the desirability of goods and services
All megacities act as service centres within the formal economic sector
However, megacities in EMEs are also important manufacturing centres (Mumbai in India or Dhaka in Bangladesh) with thousands working in the informal economy
Explain why population growth is a reason for rise of mega city?
Young people are drawn to live in megacities with their vibrancy, fast pace and opportunities
There is also ‘internal growth’ where people who have moved into the cities have children, so sustaining population growth (Mexico City, Mumbai, Pearl River Delta in China)
Rapid growth, often means that peri-urban, grow more rapidly than urban centres and this can lead to development of slums
Explain why economies of scale is a reason for mega cities growth
Cheaper to provide goods and services in one place than spread across several cities
Financial savings for local governments in respect of infrastructure provision
Communication and transport are centralised, making savings in time and money
Availability of skilled and unskilled workers (higher numbers allows for choice)
Explain why multiplier effect is a reason for rise of mega cities?
As a city prospers, it acts as a beacon to people and businesses
This encourages inward investment
This leads to yet more development and growth
Generating further need for skills and labour and job growth
This cycle multiplies the positive effects and growth continues (San Francisco and the digital development)
Why world cities are different from mega cities?
World or global cities have a powerful attraction for people and businesses
They are influential cores with large peripheries and act as funnels for economic growth at various levels
World or global cities can be any size (they do not need to be megacities) but they exert particular influences around the globe
World cities play an important role in global politics through hosting international summits, (COP 21, G8 etc.) where leaders use their influence to drive trade deals and develop economic links with other countries
They are critical hubs for the flow of wealth, trade, people and culture
The three top world cities are London, New York, and Tokyo
There are only four world cities in the southern hemisphere:
Sydney
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Buenos Aires
What are the grading of the world cities?
These are graded the Alpha ++, Alpha + , Alpha, Alpha- through to Gamma- etc.
With only London and New York as Alpha ++
Alpha+ : Paris, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong etc
Alpha: Madrid, Brussels, Milan
Alpha-: Amsterdam, Lisbon etc
