Contemporary Urban Environments Flashcards
Definition : megacity
A city or urban area with a population of more than 10 million people
Definition : metacity
A con urbanisation with more than 20 million people
Definition : urban growth
The general increase in the number of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas
Definition : urbanisation
Increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas in a specific area such as country or region
Definition : urban sprawl
The spread of an urban area into the surrounding countryside
What is the global pattern of urbanisation
LICs and NEEs have a quick rate of urban growth
HICs is slower because they have already developed and become industrialised
Causes of urban growth
- natural increase
- rural to urban migration
Consequences of urban growth
- housing and urban sprawl
- waste
- transport
- employment
Definition : suburbanisation
development of rural areas due to the migration of people from inner city areas
Characteristics of suburbanisation
- large houses (wealthy commuters live there)
- local shops / businesses, no large companies
- low building density, more land for garden space and car parking
- area for expansion
- favoured location for new offices, factories, shopping outlets
Causes of suburbanisation
- growth of public transport
- railway lines enabled wealthier commuters to live in the suburbs as they can travel to work
- people move for the desire for quieter, less congested and polluted environment
- perceived as relatively crime free areas
Effects of suburbanisation
Environmental
- green belt under pressure
- worsening of air quality
Social
- social segregation
Economic
- diversion of funding to suburbs away from inner city
Definition : counter urbanisation
migration of people from major urban areas to smaller urban cities
Characteristics of counter urbanisation
- growth in rural areas beyond the main city
- land and house prices are cheaper
Causes of counter urbanisation
- push factor : people want to escape air pollution, dirt and crime of the city
- pull factor : land and house prices are cheaper
- pull factor : improvements in technology allow people to work from home
- rising demand for second homes and earlier retirements
Effects of counter urbanisation
Environmental
- loss of Greenland
- congestion and pollution
Social
- tension between newcomers and locals
- bus services and other services have shut down
Economic
- out migration of young village born adults
- in migration increases house prices
Demographic
- decline of elderly village born people
- increase of younger people
Definition : urban resurgence
movement of young mobile people back into the city
Characteristics of urban resurgence
- strong financial, business and consumer service industries
- more university students and immigrant workers
Causes of urban resurgence
- attracted by the 24 hour lifestyle (gym, work, nightlife)
- major sporting events, London 2012 olympics
Effects of urban resurgence
Environmental
- trees planted, green area protected
Social
- able to live their 24 hour lifestyle
- loss of original residents
Economic
- inequalities
Definition : deindustrialisation
decline of the manufacturing industry
Causes of deindustrialisation
- mechanism : cheaper and more efficient than employees
- competition from abroad
- reduced demand for traditional products
Impacts of deindustrialisation
Social
- unemployment / loss of jobs
- deprivation, crime
Environmental
- long term pollution
+ positive such as reduced traffic congestion
Economic
- closure of other businesses
- decline in property prices