Effects of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation

Question 1

Using a case study, what are the effects of rapid urbanisation in a LEDC on air pollution?

Answer 1

Mexico City, Mexico.
Causes
3 million cars a day travel through the city.
Industrial pollutants contribute to the problem.
Rapid industrialisation resulted in many laws and regulations being unenforceable or ignored.
Effects
Increase in respiratory diseases (asthma and bronchitis)-Social
Congestion costs industries and businesses as trade drops-Economic
Wildlife, especially birds, have declined in the city-Environmental
Contribution to global warming-Environmental

Question 2

Describe the effects of rapid urbanisation on toxic waste using a case study.

Answer 2

Bhopal, India.
Causes
3 December, 1984
Poisonous gas escaped from a chemical plant and killed 3000 people
50,000 suffered permanent disabilities
Effects
Union Carbide, an American TNC that manufactures pesticide set up in Bhopal to take advantage of cheap labour.
Lack of strict monitoring and regulations led to a toxic air leak (methyl isocynate)
A cloud engulfed nearby squatter settlement
Hospitals reported a death every minute
Health problems

Question 3

Describe the effects of rapid urbanisation on e-waste using a case study.

Answer 3

Bangalore, India.
Causes
Companies will pay Indian government to import huge quantities of their e-waste.
In urban landfills the poor scrape, burn and melt electronic goods to extract the valuable materials like gold and platinum.
Inhale toxic chemicals like cadmion, lead, and mercury.
Effects
Respiratory problems-Social
Burning their eyes-Social
Air pollution-Environmental
Waste products are thrown away-Environmental
Lead and mercury affect nervous system
Kidneys affected
Damages IQ

Question 4

Describe the effects of rapid urbanisation on water pollution using a case study.

Answer 4

Three Gorges Dam, China.
Causes
Rapid urbanisation increases the energy demands
The 3 Gorges Dam, constructed on the Yangtze River has been built to meet the rising energy demand.
Costed $39 million
30 million people have left flooded villages.
Effects
Litter, plastic bags, bottles, animal corpses, trees and other debris collects behind the dam
Yangtze River flows through several city centres, including Shanghai
265 billion gallons of raw sewage are dumped into the Yangtze annually
3 Gorges reservoir flooded 1600 abandoned factories, mines, dumps, and potential toxic waste sites
Little can be done to manage this problem
It does create employment to clean the river
Flooding effects houses nearby, structural damage, cracks in the walls