Human - Urban Environmnets Flashcards
Define Urbanisation.
The process whereby the proportion of people living in towns and cities increases.
What is the difference between urbanisation and urban growth?
Urbanisation = Proportional/relative increase
Urban growth= Absolute increase
What is a millionaire city?
A city with a population in excess of 1 million people
What is a megacity?
A city with a population of over 10 million people (can incorporate surrounding metropolitan areas)
What is a world city?
A city which has a ‘global’ influence - a financial, trade, political and cultural hub.
Give 3 examples of world cities.
London, New York and Tokyo
What is an issue surrounding the classification of urban dwellers?
- Census data varies between countries (sampling times)
- The area covered by a city is often undefined/debateable.
- The definition of what constitutes an urban area or population varies, in India ‘rural’ means 5000 people/km
Where is the majority of urbanisation currently occurring?
Africa and Asia at an increasing rate
In what type of settlement is the majority of urbanisation currently taking place?
Large towns and small cities in both HICs and LICs. Not big cities…
What is urbanism?
A way of life or culture present in urban areas. Can happen anywhere on earth.
If census data from countries is inaccurate, how do we know that urbanisation is happening?
- Satellite images show area covered is increasing
- Visits to urban areas worldwide have shown pop density increase
True or false?
The majority of the world lives in cities.
FALSE
The majority live in urban areas - not necessarily cities.
When did the global urban population exceed the rural population?
2008
When did urban growth in MICs/LICs begin to accelerate?
1970s
Which country has the most megacities?
China
How do urban areas shape lives?
- Organisation of economic production (Financial services)
- Exchange of ideas (universities)
- Social and cultural centres (theatres, stadiums)
- Centres of political power (seat of local/national gov.)
What percentage of UK population live in urban areas?
80%
What are some misconceptions about urbanisation?
- Only occurs in cities
2. It is a modern phenomenon (actually been occuring for 1000s of years)
What are the two main causes of urban growth?
- Natural increase
2. Rural-urban migration
Why does natural population growth occur more in urban areas than elsewhere?
More young people in cities
Name 4 push factors.
- Agricultural issues in rural areas, blights + desertification
- Wars and civil strikes
- Lack of services (doctors, transport, rural deprivation)
- Natural disasters/ acute shocks
Name 4 pull factors.
- Better services, importantly in close proximity
- Wider variety of employment opportunities
- Perception of a better life quality, ‘bright light syndrome’
- More entertainment with theatres etc.
What happens to the economy (sectors) as urbanisation increases over time?
- Primary decreases (less arable land etc)
- Secondary increases and decreases, latter due to deindustrialisation
- Tertiary increases and then more Quaternary too
Define urban sprawl.
The spread of urban areas into surrounding countryside in an uncontrolled and unplanned fashion