Contemporary Urban Environments Flashcards
What are the four main factors in the growth of megacities?
Population growth
Reduced need for agricultural labour
Loss of farm land
The technological revolution
What are some common problems of megacities?
High land prices
Congestion
Air pollution
Crime rates
Why did Sao Paulo become a megacity?
Rio’s overcultivated soil infertile.
Sao Paulo became coffee capital.
Near the coast for ports.
What are Sao Paulo’s four core problems?
Waterways
Housing and wealth
Traffic
Water supply
How did Sao Paulo’s population changed over time?
250,000 to a million in 30 years.
Population now 25m.
Why are waterways a problem in Sao Paulo?
Only two rivers.
Demand for basic infrastructure.
Polluted by sewage.
Biological dead zone.
How is Sao Paulo trying to manage its waterway problem?
Endeavour to treat wastewater.
Educating the youth of today.
Why is housing and wealth a problem in Sao Paulo?
10% live in makeshift neighbourhoods.
Favelas/shanty towns.
Low cost govt housing far from city centre costs money to travel.
1% property owners own 45% property shares.
Why is traffic a problem in Sao Paulo?
Rapid growth in car ownership.
Congestion makes wealthy depend on helicopter.
Politicians don’t care because they don’t experience it.
Public transport not in place despite efforts.
Why is the water supply a problem in Sao Paulo?
Drought.
Rivers to polluted to drink.
Poor people couldn’t buy water and suffered.
Climate change and deforestation likely to amplify.
How will Sao Paulo cope in the future?
Sustainable methods
Dedication
Good governance
How has the urban population changed since 1950?
1950 - 746m
2014 - 3.9bn
Which areas are most urbanised?
N America 82% live urban.
Latin America and Carribean 80%
Europe 73%
Which areas are most rural?
Africa 40% urbanised.
Asia 48%.
Which areas are currently going through the most rapid urbanisation?
Asia and Africa.
India, China, Nigeria expected to account for 37% growth before 2050.
Why do cities have higher fertility rates?
Migrants tend to be in fertile years.
E.g. ‘Nappy Valley’ between Clapham and Fulham high proportion of young families.
What are some examples of push factors?
Population growth
Agricultural problems inc. desertification
Disease and poor healthcare
Natural disasters
Wars and civil strife
What are some examples of pull factors?
Employment
Earning money from informal sector
Better quality social provisions (education/healthcare)
Perceived better QoL
How has Lagos’ population changed since 1950?
1950 - 325,000
2023 - 15.4m
What two processes have caused rapid urban growth in Lagos?
In-migration
High rate of natural increase
What push factors does rural Nigeria possess?
Greater use of land for cash crops
Environmental hazards
Lack of rural investment
Terrorism (Boko Haram)
What pull factors does Lagos possess?
Jobs
Expected higher wages, education
Perceived health care and less overcrowded housing
Why is Lagos’ birth rate high?
Contraceptives not widely available
In-migrants produce many children as infant mortality rate is high
Polygyny (multiple wives)
Youthful population
Why is Lagos’ death rate falling?
Fewer deaths in childbirth.
Medical improvements.
Less malnutrition.
Youthful population 50% under 15.
