EQ1 - 3.1 The World Is Becoming Increasingly Urbanised (A)

Question 1

What is urbanisation?

Answer 1

• The growth in the proportion of a country’s population living in urban areas.
• Happening globally, 50%+ people living in urban areas (3.9B) - still increasing.

Question 2

What happens in smaller population urbanisation?

Answer 2

• 35% of the population in developing countries live in urban areas.
• Fastest rates of urbanisation in the world are developing countries.

Question 3

What are megacities?

Answer 3

• High rates of urbanisation lead to the growth of megacities.
• An urban area with over 10M people living in it.

Question 4

What is a primate city?

Answer 4

• One city dominates the country it is in.
• Much bigger population than the 2nd biggest city - usually 2x as big.
• Influence the country economically.

Question 5

What are the economical factors of a primate city?

Answer 5

• Investment; businesses often located there, attracting investment in infrastructure and services.
• Migration; there are many jobs so people move there to work. High skilled workers are attracted by higher paid jobs.
• Transport; international ports and airports are often located there, encouraging further investment and migration.

Question 6

What are the political factors of a primate city?

Answer 6

• Governments and the HQ’s are powerful, high earning businesses are located there.
• Means that the decision about development will only favour the city and not the whole country.

Question 7

Why is urbanisation creating more megacities in the developing/emerging countries?

Answer 7

• As there is more space to develop.
• More people look to the centre for job opportunities.
• People would rather make a living in the centre of the city; better quality of life etc.

Question 8

How does a primate city dominate its country?

Answer 8

• As it is in a double population so it is easier to allow them to trade and do business.
• They normally have the services to dominate the country - dock lands, CBD, airports and government.

Question 9

What are urban areas?

Answer 9

• Towns and cities.

- Popular places to be and getting ever more so.

Question 10

What will urbanisation most likely to do in 2050?

Answer 10

• The rate will stay at the rate urbanisation is now (rapid).
• It will mean that the majority of th global population, even ones in rural areas, will be living in urban areas instead.

Question 11

What characteristics does a megacity require/possess?

Answer 11

• 10M + people.

Question 12

What are the alpha stages in urbanisation?

Answer 12

• Alpha ++ are the biggest business districts and act as if they are the continents financial hub. New York = Western Hub, London = Europe’s Hub - worlds most important cities.
• Alpha + cities are cities that are very important and large in population but don’t have the financial power to be an alpha ++ city.
• Alpha cities are highly populated cities (5-10M) people.
• Alpha - cities are usually 1-5M people.