Unit 2A: Urban Issues and Challenges Flashcards
What is urbanisation?
Urbanisation is the growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas.
What percentage of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas?
Around 55%.
What is the urban population percentage in Higher Income Countries (HICs)?
Around 80%.
What is the typical rate of urbanisation in Higher Income Countries (HICs)?
Usually under 1%.
What is the urban population percentage in Lower Income Countries (LICs)?
Around 30%.
What is the typical rate of urbanisation in Lower Income Countries (LICs)?
Up to 6%.
What are Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)?
Countries where economic development is increasing rapidly, e.g. Brazil and China.
What is the urban population percentage in Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)?
Around 50%.
What is rural-urban migration?
The movement of people from the countryside to cities.
What factors affect rural-urban migration?
Push factors and pull factors.
Name two push factors that encourage rural-urban migration.
- Natural disasters
- Mechanised agricultural equipment needs fewer workers
Name two pull factors that encourage rural-urban migration.
- More jobs in urban areas
- Access to better healthcare and educational opportunities
What is natural increase in the context of urbanisation?
When the birth rate exceeds the death rate.
What is a megacity?
An urban area with more than 10 million residents.
How many megacities were there as of 2018?
33 megacities.
What is the projected number of megacities by 2030?
43 megacities.
What is the estimated population of Lagos?
Over 14 million.
What is the annual growth rate of Lagos?
3.2%.
Why is Lagos important regionally?
It increases cultural diversity and is well connected to other major towns.
Why is Lagos important nationally?
It is home to 80% of Nigeria’s industry and many global companies.
Why is Lagos important internationally?
It is the main financial centre for West Africa and has important ports and airports.
What historical event in the 1860s impacted Lagos’s growth?
British colonisation made it a centre for trade.
What caused rapid economic development in Lagos after 1960?
Nigeria’s resources were no longer controlled by the British.
What is the birth rate in Nigeria compared to the world’s average?
35.2 births per 1000 people, compared to the world’s average of 19 births per 1000 people.
What is the death rate in Nigeria compared to the world’s average?
Around 9.6 deaths per 1000 people, compared to the world’s average of 7.6 deaths per 1000 people.
How many immigrants enter Lagos every day?
An estimated 1200 immigrants.
What are some reasons for rural-urban migration to Lagos?
- Ethnic and religious conflict
- High levels of poverty elsewhere in Nigeria and Africa
True or False: Lagos has seen an increase in its population due to natural increase and migration.
True.
What economic opportunities does Lagos provide compared to rural Nigeria?
Incomes can be four times higher in Lagos than in rural Nigeria
This economic disparity drives migration towards urban areas.
What percentage of Nigerian children in urban areas attend primary school?
Almost 90%
Only around 60% in rural areas attend school.
How many schools are there in Lagos?
Almost 20,000 schools
This is a significant number compared to rural areas.
What percentage of Nigeria’s electricity supply does Lagos use?
About 40%
This is a crucial factor for daily life in Lagos.
What is Nollywood?
The thriving film and music industry in Lagos
Nollywood films are very popular.
What percentage of people in Lagos live in illegal settlements (slums)?
66%
This is a result of rapid population growth and insufficient housing.
What are the common living conditions in Lagos slums?
Flimsy wooden huts
These structures are often built illegally.
What percentage of the city is connected to the state water supply?
Only about 40%
This leads to inflated prices for water from informal sellers.
What sanitation challenges do residents face in Lagos?
Up to 15 households can share a toilet
Contaminated water can lead to health problems like cholera.
What is a significant issue with electricity supply in Lagos?
Lagos doesn’t have enough electricity to power the whole city at once
Neighbourhoods take turns receiving electricity.
What percentage of the population works in informal jobs in Lagos?
About 60%
These jobs lack legal protection.
What environmental issue does Lagos face due to its population?
Produces over 9000 tonnes of waste a day
Only about 40% of rubbish is officially collected.
What is the ‘go slow’ in Lagos?
Severe traffic congestion leading to long commutes
Workers often face 2-hour commutes during rush hours.
What was the purpose of the Makoko Floating School?
To provide access to free education for poor children
It also aimed to improve the quality of life in Makoko.
What social benefit did the Makoko Floating School provide?
Educated up to 100 students for free
This reduced the need for children to work or scavenge.
What economic benefit did the Makoko Floating School provide?
Improved local children’s job prospects
The school also provided jobs for local teachers.
What environmental benefit did the Makoko Floating School offer?
Built using locally sourced materials
This minimized environmental harm and allowed easy repairs.
What energy source did the Makoko Floating School use?
Solar power
This met the school’s energy needs sustainably.
What happened to the original Makoko Floating School in 2016?
It collapsed after a storm
Residents planned to rebuild it stronger.
What does sustainable living mean?
Living in a way that lets people meet their needs now without reducing the ability of people to meet their needs in the future.
What is the main challenge facing big cities regarding sustainability?
Big cities need so many resources that it’s unlikely they’ll ever be truly sustainable.
What are two vital resources that cities need to manage sustainably?
- Water
- Energy
What is one goal of water conservation schemes?
Reduce the amount of water used.
Fill in the blank: Burning fossil fuels to generate power is not sustainable because they will _______.
[run out]
What is one example of a method to conserve water?
- Collecting rainwater for use on gardens
- Installing toilets that flush less water
- Installing water meters
What type of energy should be promoted in energy conservation schemes?
Renewable energy (e.g., wind or solar).
What is a successful example of a water conservation scheme in Curitiba, Brazil?
Installation of water meters in homes and hosepipe bans.
How much less is Curitiba’s water consumption compared to other Latin American cities?
Around half.
What transport system renovation occurred in Curitiba in 2009?
Renovation of the ‘Green Line’ transport system with dedicated bus lanes for biofuel buses.
What percentage of its energy does Curitiba get from renewable hydroelectric power?
84%.
What is one strategy to encourage energy efficiency in homes?
- Making sure that all new homes meet minimum energy efficiency requirements
- Encouraging people to make their homes more energy efficient
True or False: Curitiba’s CO2 emissions from electricity are about 65% less than other Latin American cities.
True.
What is a common sense strategy for making cities more sustainable?
Thinking about how people can use less water or energy in their homes.
What are the characteristics of cities that can make them unpleasant?
Noisy, dirty, busy, and hot
What is one benefit of creating green spaces in urban areas?
They provide naturally cooler areas for relaxation
How do green spaces encourage healthier lifestyles?
By encouraging exercise and alternative transport use
What does the government scheme launched in Curitiba in 2007 encourage?
Landowners to create green areas
What are two environmental benefits of green spaces?
- Reduce air pollution
- Reduce risk of flooding
What is a significant issue with waste in cities?
Cities produce a lot of waste that needs to be recycled
What are the benefits of increased recycling?
- Fewer resources are used
- Less waste sent to landfill
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
What are some waste recycling schemes?
- Kerbside collections of recyclable materials
- Building recycling facilities
- Websites like Freecycle™ and Freegle
What is the Green Exchange Programme in Curitiba?
Residents receive rewards for recycling, such as food or bus tickets
What does sustainable mean?
Meeting our needs now without affecting future needs
What is a major problem caused by traffic congestion in urban areas?
Increased air pollution
What economic problem does traffic congestion cause?
Delays for workers and deliveries, leading to financial losses
What is one social problem associated with traffic congestion?
Higher chance of accidents
What is one strategy used in London to encourage public transport use?
Docklands Light Railway
How does London’s Underground system contribute to traffic reduction?
Takes 3 million people off the roads daily
What are electronic ‘Oyster Cards’ used for?
To travel on most of London’s public transport networks
What is a benefit of bus priority lanes?
Stops buses from being delayed in traffic
What is congestion charging?
A scheme to discourage drivers from entering the city centre at peak times
What is the impact of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Curitiba?
Over 700,000 passengers use it daily, reducing carbon emissions
Fill in the blank: Sustainable means meeting our needs now without affecting our ______.
future needs
True or False: Landfill is a sustainable solution for waste management.
False
What is the population of Birmingham?
Just over 1 million people
What major transport links connect Birmingham?
International airport, motorways (M6, M42, M5), and 3 mainline train stations
What historical event significantly influenced Birmingham’s growth?
The industrial revolution in the 1800s
What is one major challenge faced by Birmingham due to industrial decline?
High rates of unemployment in inner city areas
What event in 2005 highlighted racial tensions in Birmingham?
Race riots
What issue does the historic ring roads present for Birmingham?
They act like a ‘concrete collar’ on the city, making transport a major challenge
What is a significant employment issue for migrants in Birmingham?
Employment inequality, especially in areas like Sparkbrook
Fill in the blank: Newly arrived migrants often settle in the same area, leading to _______.
Enclaves and social separation
What is the life expectancy in wealthy areas like Four Oaks compared to Sparkbrook?
84 in Four Oaks, 76 in Sparkbrook
What are two areas of inequality evident in Birmingham?
- Health inequality
- Housing inequality
How many universities does Birmingham have?
5 universities
What unique feature does Birmingham have regarding parks?
500 parks and more trees than any other city in Europe
What major job creation opportunity arose from HSBC’s relocation?
20,000 new jobs
What does Birmingham’s waste recovery system do?
Turns 350,000 tonnes of waste into energy each year
What cultural feature is associated with Birmingham’s diversity?
The ‘Balti Triangle’
What are two examples of Birmingham’s state-of-the-art recreational facilities?
- Symphony Hall
- Award-winning library
What major transport improvements have been made in Birmingham?
Revamped train station and extended Midland Metro tram network
What was the BIG CITY PLAN in Birmingham?
A redevelopment initiative focusing on 5 key areas of the city
What was the cost of the redevelopment of New Street Station?
£600 million
What sustainable practices were incorporated into the New Street Station redevelopment?
- Use of recycled materials
- Collection of rainwater for toilets
