Geography The Urban World March 2019 Flashcards
What is urbanisation?
When an increasing percentage of a country’s population move to live in towns and cities.
How does urbanisation vary around the world?
- In the richer countries over 60% of the population live in cities.
- In South and South-East Asia around half the population live in towns and cities.
- Most African countries have an urban population of 40%.
- Niger, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Malawi have an urban population of under 20%.
How is the world’s urban population distributed?
- The largest growth in urban population by 2050 will be in NEEs such as China, India and Nigeria.
- China, India and Nigeria will account for 37% of the urban growth between 2014 and 2050.
- By 2050, India will add 404 million urban dwellers, China will add 292 million and Nigeria will add 212 million.
What is a natural increase?
When the birth rate is higher than the death rate.
What is rural-urban migration?
The movement of people from the countryside into towns and cities.
What are push and pull factors?
Push Factors - Factors that are bad about the current place that make you want to leave. (Repels you).
Pull Factors - Factors that are good about a new place that make you want to move there. (Attracts you).
What are examples of push factors?
- Farming is hard and poorly paid.
- There are few doctors or hospitals.
- Schools provide only a very basic education.
- Rural areas are isolated due to poor roads.
What are examples of pull factors?
- There are more well-paid jobs.
- A higher standard of living is possible.
- Friends and family live there.
- There is better education.
- Public transport is better.
- A range of entertainment is available.
- There is better access to doctors and hospitals.
What are megacities?
Megacities are cities with a population of over 10 million.
What are the three types of megacities?
Slow-growing - In South-East Asia, Europe and North America. Have an urban population of over 70% and no squatter settlements. E.g. Moscow, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
Growing - In South America and South-East Asia. Have an urban population between 40% and 50% and under 20% in squatter settlements. E.g. Mexico City, Rio and Beijing.
Rapid-growing - In South/South-East Asia and Africa. Have an urban population under 50% and over 20% in squatter settlements. E.g. Jakarta, Lagos and Mumbai.
How is the population of the UK distributed?
The population is distributed unevenly in the UK. 82% live in urban areas with one in four of those living in London and the South-East. In contrast, many highland regions in Scotland and Wales are very sparsely populated.
How can urban development be made stable?
- Minimise the use of green-field sites by using brown-field sites.
- Conserve cultural, historical and environmental sites and buildings.
- Provide a range of job opportunities.
- Reduce the reliance of fossil fuels and rethink transport strategies to follow this.
What has been done to make the city of Freiburg more sustainable?
- Local people can invest in renewable energy sources. In one district people have invested in over 5 million pounds in 9 windmills, 8 solar energy systems a HEP and an energy conservation scheme at the school.
- Financial rewards have been given to people who compost their green waste and use textile nappies.
How has water and energy been made sustainable in Freiburg?
Water:
- Collecting of rainwater for use indoors.
- Green roofs on-top of houses and apartments.
- Pervious pavements to allow water to soak through.
- Unpaved tramways. (Grass growing between the tracks).
- Drainage wetlands.
Energy:
- Strict polices on energy saving, efficient technology and use of renewable energy sources.
- The city plans to have 100% renewable energy by 2050.
What are the strategies for sustainable traffic management?
Freiburg:
- Has an integrated traffic plan that is updated every 10 years.
- 400 km of bike paths with 9000 parking spaces and ‘bike and ride’ stations at rail and bus stations.
- Restrictions on car spaces with some in the district of Vauban costing 20,000 pounds.
Singapore:
- Electronic road pricing on major roads.
- High petrol prices and vehicle registration fees.
- Strict requirements for obtaining a drivers license.
- Advanced electronic monitoring and control of traffic signals to keep traffic flowing.
Beijing:
- Only 20% of people who apply to get a vehicle actually get one.
- Cars are banned from the city once a week based on a number plate system.
- Non-residents cannot bring a car into the city.
- Expansion of the public transport system with 30 new metro lines and a rapid bus transit system.
