problems of urbanisation

Question 1

what are the problems of urbanisation?

Answer 1

1. inadequate housing
2. squatter settlements
3. pollution
4. water supply
5. transport

Question 2

why is there inadequate housing?

Answer 2

• Government is unable to provide housing for the rapidly growing urban population
• Houses are expensive and small due to high demand
• Poor urban dwellers cannot afford some end up living in squatters
• Caused by high demand for housing due to high birth rates in cities and rural-Urban migration
• Insufficient supply of housing due to: competition for land use and limited land supply

Question 3

what are squatter settlements

Answer 3

• Substandard, poor living conditions
• Houses are made of planks, plastic sheets and cardboards
• Lack of proper sanitation, poor drainage and water supply
• Health problems

Question 4

what pollution is there?

Answer 4

• Air pollution: Increase vehicles on roads → emission of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and dust particles
• Land pollution: Increase in domestic and industrial waste → inefficient waste collection
• Water pollution: Dumping of sewage and garbage into canals and rivers
• Noise pollution: From traffic, construction and industries → leads to stress and hearing problems

Question 5

what are the problems of water supply in urban areas?

Answer 5

1. Shortage of water supply
   - Increasing affluence and wastage of water in developed countries
   - Growing urban population in the developing countries
2. Low or variable amount of rainfall
   - Depletion of groundwater → leads to shortage of water
3. No access to piped water
   - Community uses a common standpipe
4. Poor quality of water due to
   - Inadequate water treatment plants
   - Pipes are old, rusty and poorly maintained → leads to leakages

Question 6

what’s wrong with transport in urban areas?

Answer 6

1. Traffic congestion
   - Happens when number of vehicles exceed the capacity of the road
   - e.g. Over 2 million cars registered in Seoul → increase in population and cars leads to congestion
2. Inadequate transport system
   - Insufficient public transport services
   - Leads to overcrowding and longer waiting time
   - Leads to lower productivity of workforce
3. Poor conditions of existing transport facilities
   - Old vehicles prone to breakdowns
   Pothole on roads, poorly tarred roads