Megacities EQ2 Flashcards
Why do cities grow?
-internal growth
-rural to urban migration
-the other 10% comes from rural areas that become classified as urban
What is internal growth?
High birth rates in cities which leads to natural increase (usually contributed to 60% of urban population growth
What is rural to urban migration?
-Movement from country side areas to city areas
-Mostly young people, fertile people who therefore can cause a high birth rate- thus migration fuels high internal growth (usually contributes for around 30%)
What is a megacity?
- A city with a population of 10million or more
-globalisation has accelerated migration flows leading to the growth of megacities
What is centripetal migration?
Movement of people directed towards the centre of urban areas
What are the causes of rural-urban migration?
-urban pull factors
-rural pull factors
-shrinking world technology
What are some urban pull factors?
-main factor is employment
-FDI by TNCs in urban areas provide a range of work e.g. manufacturing
-urban areas offer hope of promotion and advancement into professional roles that do not exist in rural areas
-schooling and healthcare is better in urban areas
What are some rural push factors?
-the main factor is usually poverty: as a result of a rapidly increasing population with not enough jobs
-land reforms mean subsistence farmer relocate to make room for TNCs and cash crops (crops grown for sale)
-agricultural modernisation reduces the need for rural labour
-resource scarcity in rural areas can trigger conflict
How can shrinking world technologies lead to rural-urban migration?
-satellites, TV and radio “switch on”people in remote areas by connecting them to global networks of information (e.g. access to information, job opportunities and cultural awareness)
-transport improvement
How does informal housing initially develop?
-Informal housing often develops on city fringes due to rural-urban migration, where new arrivals build shelters in unplanned areas like municipal dumps (Lagos), floodplains (São Paulo), cemeteries (Cairo), or steep slopes (Rio de Janeiro).
-Informal housing can evolve into more stable communities with improved infrastructure. For example, Rio’s Rocinha shanty town now has electricity, McDonald’s, hair salons, and health clinics, transforming into a more desirable district.
Is there population growth in developed countries?
-In the developed world, international migration continues to bring population growth but more slowly than in the developing world.
-There is residual internal migration too i.e. from rural areas.
-Environmental rules have aimed to prevent suburban growth into greenbelts. High rise developments on brownfield sites become the answer.
What countries experience the most rapid urban growth?
-poorest countries tend to have higher urban growth rates. Migration is the main reason for this
-urban growth rates are also higher in countries that have a dominant city- urban growth rates can be 6-8% per year (mainly consist of slums (currently 1billion people living in slums globally)
What are slums?
-according to the UN, a slum is a settlement where over 60% of the inhabitants lack one or more of: durable housing, sufficient living areas, adequate water supply or access to sanitation
-the pandemic has only worsened the plight of slum dwellers further marginalising those already vulnerable
What are shanty towns?
Slum housing built from waste materials
What are squatter settlements?
Shanty towns that occupy land illegally
What is growth in São Paulo, Brazil like?
-Sao Paulo is a megacity in Brazil with a population of around 17million people
-As Brazil’s economic hub, São Paulo attracted people from other regions due to its booming economy, offering jobs in industries, trade, and services, further driving population growth.
What are some social challenges in São Paulo?
-increasing number unable to afford official auto construction so moved to favelas where around 2/3 of all homes were in 1992 (often built on floodplains or near polluted rivers making residents more vulnerable to flooding and waterborne diseases + are often hotspots for crime)
What are some environmental challenges of São Paulo?
-air pollution is at a chronic level: World Health Organisation limits for particulates and monoxide are exceeded 6months of the years (air pollution contributes to acid rain which can degrade buildings and harm ecosystems + also can cardiovascular + respiratory disease)
What is growth like in Las Angeles California?
-a megacity in the USA
-The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to over 13 million people (2020), making it the second-largest metro area in the U.S.
-Its growth has been fueled by immigration (37% of the population is foreign-born) and its role as a hub for the entertainment, technology, and trade industries
-people spend 95hours n trac annnuay
-despite bein home to lobal edltes 17% live below te poverty lne
What is growth like in Mumbai, India? (Main case study)
-Mumbai had a rapidly growing population of around 17million people
-it is experiencing hyper urbanisation due to the growth of its economy in manufacturing
- An increase in territory jobs such as IT and financial services has meant it has become a major centre for outsourced work there
What are some social challenges of Mumbai India?
-overcrowded classroom due to increased urbanisation impacted education quality (as of 2021 30% of the population were illiterate or had completed education below primary level)- this could lead to a less skilled workforce
-increase in infrastructure due to businesses development had led to a loss of recreational space and old unplanned neighbourhoods e.g. Dharavi slum in Mumbai is overcrowded and is home to people living £200 a month»_space;>(The lack of adequate space can lead to overcrowding, which in turn contributes to poor health and a reduced quality of life. Additionally, the loss of green space exacerbates issues like climate change)
What are some environmental challenges of Mumbai India?
-Mumbai has lost over 30% of its green cover due to rapid urban expansion and development projects (biodiversity loss, climate change)
-Around 80% of Mumbai’s sewage is untreated and directly discharged into the city’s water bodies, including rivers, creeks, and beaches. This pollution stems from a combination of untreated sewage and industrial waste (disease and damage to marine life)
