Urban Flashcards
Urbanisation -What?
The increase in the proportion of the population living in the world’s cities
Urban Growth -What?
The increase in the total population of a town of city
Urban Expansion -What?
The increase in size of geographical footprint of a city
Urban Growth and Urbanisation -What’s the difference?
Urban Growth is a population increase, while urbanisation is a increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas
Reasons for Moving to the City
There are two factors that influence people to move to a city:
- Push Factor
- Pull Factor
Push Factor -What?
Factors that push people away from living in rural areas
Push Factor -Examples
- Drought
- Long Hours, No pay
- No/Poor sanitation and services
- High unemployment rate
Pull Factor -What?
Factors that pull people towards living in a city
Pull Factor -Examples
- Employment Opportunities
- Sanitation
- Clean Water
- Better Services
- More Opportunities
- Better Quality of Life
Why are Cities Important?
- Economic Production -Banks
- Exchange of Ideas and Critical Thinking -Universities
- Social and Cultural Centres
- Centres of Political Power and Decision Making
Where is Urbanisation occurring the most?
In the past, urbanisation only occurred in the HIC countries. Now, it is occurring more in NIC and LIC countries. This is because these countries are developing and more people are moving to the cities
Processes that Affect the Population of Cities
There are 4 processes that Affect the movement of people into and out of cities:
- Urbanisation
- Surbanisation
- Counter Urbanisation
- Urban Resurgence
Surbanisation -What?
The Decentralisation of people, employment and services towards the edges of an urban area
Counter Urbanisation -What?
Population movement from large areas to smaller urban areas and rural areas
Urban Resurgence -What?
Population movement from rural areas back to urban areas
Urban Resurgence -Case Study -Ubisoft,Montreal
Ubisoft decided to locate in an old textile factory in downtown Montreal. This moved its workers towards the City centre as they can easily reach Ubisoft, and be in reach of the cities leisure facilities
Megacity -What?
A city with over 10 million inhabitants
Megacities -1970’s
In the 1970’s, there were only 3 megacities in the world. New York City, Tokyo and Osaka.
Megacities-1975-2000
In this period, LIC and NEE countries had the biggest increase in megacities. This is because they were becoming more developed and industrialised
Megacities-2000-2015
In this period, LIC countries had the biggest increase in megacities. This is because of increasing industrialisation, urban migration and population increase
Why was New York City the first Megacity?
- Trade -Has a port
- Migration- especially of Italian and Irish workers
Megacity Case Study -Dhaka-Reasons for Growth
- 400,000 migrants to Dhaka a year
- Gets all the Investment
Megacity Case Study -Dhaka-Opportunities
- “Better Life “
- Jobs
- Factories -TNC’s are attracted there
Megacity Case Study -Dhaka-Challenges
- Traffic -Cost $2 Billion a year, and Creates Smog
- Slums and Shanty Towns
- Rubbish
- Pollution
- Sewage
- Water Shortages
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Natural Increase
More people are born then die. This leads to a population increase
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Push Factors and Pull Factors
An increase in a person’s quality of life in the City, and reasons to leave a rural area can cause population increase, increasing the chances of creating a megacity
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Capitals
Businesses and Industry are more likely to come into capital cities. This brings jobs, power and tourism
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Ports and Trading Points
Cities become trade hubs, businesses and Industry enter. This brings jobs and migrants to the area
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Colonial Influences
Influences of formal rulers. This brings good ties between countries, with the former ruler investing in the country so it develops
Why do Some Cities become Mega Cities?-Economic Reasons
- Trade
- Jobs
- Industry
- Investment from TNC
Mega City Case Study-Shenzhen,China
Shenzhen has a special enterprise zone. This zone is tariff free, so it encourages businesses into the area
World City-What?
An interconnected global economic centre that has significant influence on the world economy
Difference between Mega City and World City?
A mega city only need 10 million people to become a mega city. A world city is based on the cities influence on the economy
Alpha City-What?
The most Interconnected cities
Alpha City-Examples
- New York City
- Buenos Aires
- London
Beta City-What?
The second most interconnected cities
Beta City-Examples
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Sydney
Gamma City-What?
The third most interconnected cities in the world
Gamma City-Examples
- Toronto
- Madrid
- Kuala Lumpur
World Cities and their important to the World’s Economy-Production
TNC’s decision making is made in World Cities, production of TNC goods are made in LIC countries
World Cities and their important to the World’s Economy-Business ,Transport, Trade
- More Globalised World
- TNC’s locate in world cities and exploit the economic knock on effects
World Cities and their important to the World’s Economy-Politics
- The Mayors of London (Khan) and New York City (de Blasio) promote their cities
- Policies to support growth, addressing crime and improving education and infrastructure
World Cities and their important to the World’s Economy-Migration
- World Cites attract the most wealthy and qualified people
- Take advantage of the globalised flows of information and communication
World Cities and their important to the World’s Economy-Infrastructure and Education
- Pull the skilled and wealthy people to the city
- Creation of links between cities creates international and domestic trade
World City-Case Study-Shanghai-Migration and Natural Increase
- Shanghai is experiencing a “Property Boom”
- 4 million migrant labourers
- More than 100,000 graduates per year from 60 Higher Education Institutes come to the city
- Overseas workers and students also come to the city
World City-Case Study-Shanghai-Production
- 20% of China’s manufacturing occurs in Shanghai
- Line of production factories along the Yangtze River
- Cities support the export orientated economy of Shanghai
World City-Case Study-Shanghai-Politics
- Government is promoting Shanghai
- 1984-Shanghai was an Open City, this lead to huge investment
- 1990-Pudong New Zone was created-Turned an impoverished swampy farmland into China’s financial and commercial centre
World City-Case Study-Shanghai-Business and Trade
- Hosted the 2010 world Expo
- 95 billion dollars invested
- Metro line built
- More offices built-Top of the range style
- 30% of China’s exports come from Shanghai
- 25% of all foreign investment goes to Shanghai
- More Shops and Restaurants
- Export orientated city
- Continued growth, other cites lose out
Growth of Bangalore Case Study-Causes
- Investment of city
- Software development firms
- Call Centres- 1 million are employed there
- Large IT companies are based in Bangalore
- Every bank has offices in Bangalore
- Many highly skilled graduates
- 1st Indian City to get Electricity
- 1980-Special Economic Zone set up-Investment into area
- Temperate Climate
Growth of Bangalore Case Study-Social and Economic Impacts
- Other areas of city are not invested in-Deprivation
- Top of the range houses are for international C.E.O’s
- Housing prices has increased
- People are coming into contact with western culture-Creates conflict with traditional family
- Rising Middle Class
- Prices are Increasing-People are “Priced Out”
- Water and Power Shortages
- Women are “Westernised”-More freedom
Growth of Bangalore Case Study-Environmental Impacts
- In 1924-100 Lakes were in Bangalore, in 1985, that figure has been halved
- City has massively expanded
- Lakes are filled in for development
- Lakes are a dumping ground for waste
- Only 17 health lakes are left
- 80% of water comes from rivers and reservoirs
- In the middle Class, you collect own water, and buy it from a tank
- In poor end, no direct connect to water supply-1000 people to 1 tank of water
- Habitat loss due to creation of reservoirs
- Demand is higher than supply of water
- 3 Million vehicles cause pollution and smog-Cheap Cars
- Bad air Quality
Growth of Bangalore Case Study-Management Techniques
- Low Taxes-Less money to spend
- Companies provide transport to work for workers
- Motorway built to reduce congestion and provide link
- Public-Private Partnership
- New Airport built
- New Metro system built
- Strict emission standards on all cars
- Businesses are being decentralised
- Getting highly skilled people in and moving call centres out of Bangalore
Urban Form-What?
The physical characteristics that make built up areas, including the shape, size, density and configuration of settlements. It can be considered on different scales. Regional, Urban Neighbourhood, Block and Street
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Urban Sprawl
Urban expansion with insufficient urban infrastructure such as streets and parks
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Peripheral Growth
Development of new growth poles and dispersed settlements
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Edge Cities
Surrounded by retail, leisure, industrial and business parks, warehouses, offices and ring roads
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-High Density Living and Intensification of Urban Centres
High rise apartment buildings
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Residential Differences
Different groups live apart from each other, poorest live in inadequate buildings
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Redevelopment and Conservation
Protection of historic cores, redevelopment of former industrial sites
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Infrastructure
Ageing infrastructure likely to dominate with some areas poorly served
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Transit Orientated Developments
Urban areas built around transport links
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Can Dominate Urban Form
Low density housing on the edge of cities and in more rural locations, making edge city leisure more accessible
Contemporary Characteristics of Megacities-Environmental Problems
Increased pollution levels, health and waste concerns
Factors the Influence Urban Form over Time and Space-Physical
- Physical Environment
- Space in the city-Can be spread out like in Los Angeles, or have to build up rather than out like in Manhattan
Factors the Influence Urban Form over Time and Space-Human
- Population
- Migration
- Sewage system and Treatment
- Economy of area
- Technology
- Governmental Policies
Urban Form-Case Study-Hong Kong
- Public Transport Oriented City
- Commercial and Residential areas close together
- Many railway lines along main roads and near businesses
- Green Spaces in suburbs
Urban Form-Case Study-Bath
- Pre Industrial City
- Historical Core-High Value land
- Located by River Avon
- Can’t expand East due to River
- Newly built houses and estates built around historical core
Urban Form-Case Study-Nairobi
- African City
- CBD in Middle
- Rapid urban growth
- Can be unplanned and chaotic-Lack of resources
- HQ’s of TNC’s
- Older industrial areas near transport links
- Newer Middle Class housing on fringe served by road network
- Built in with the natural environment
Urban Form-Case Study-Prague
- Socialist City
- Similar Houses for everyone
- Houses located near services-Walking encouraged
- Plaza’s used for Rallies
- Centre was a political centre rather than a commercial one
- Micro Neighbourhoods with local services-All houses are Identical
Deindustrialisation-What?
The long term decline of industry leading to significant social and economic changes
Why does Deindustrialisation Occur?
- Foreign products were cheaper in shops
- Too expensive to make in UK
- Reduced need for labour as Machines now do the job
- Reduced Demand
- Outsourcing
Deindustrialisation-Impacts-Economic
- Job losses
- Businesses close
- Loss of tax income
- Increase in the need for state benefits
- Loss of income in service sector
- Decline in property prices
- Lead to Negative Multiplier Effect
Deindustrialisation-Impacts-Social
- Increase in Unemployment
- High levels of deprivation
- Out migration of the skilled population
- High crime rates
- Loss of confidence and morale in local population
Deindustrialisation-Impacts-Environmental
- Derelict land and buildings
- Long term pollution
- Deteriorating Infrastructure
- Reduced maintenance of local houses-Causes by less taxes being paid
- Reduction in noise, water and land pollution
- Reduction of congestion on roads
Decentralisation-What?
Businesses moving to the suburbs and rural urban fringe of cities
Retail Parks-Positives
\+Cheaper \+More Space \+Good Transport Links \+Jobs are created \+Convenient for those who live in suburbs \+Congestion reduces in cities
Retail Parks-Negatives
- Built on habitats
- Loss of agricultural land
- Land cost increases
- City centres become run-down
- Congestion moves to retail park area
The Service Economy-What?
The workers provide a service to someone. Examples : Teachers, Doctors, Fire-fighters, Electricians etc.
Reasons for the Rise of the Service Economy-Growth in Corporate HQ’s
TNC’s have their main offices in HIC’s and need staff to run them
Reasons for the Rise of the Service Economy-Rise in the Knowledge Economy
Businesses need supporting services such as financial and legal teams
Reasons for the Rise of the Service Economy-R&D
There is an increase in Research and Development
Reasons for the Rise of the Service Economy-Leisure Time
An increase in leisure time means more demand for leisure services
Reasons for the Rise of the Service Economy-Property Development and Redevelopment
Property development and the redevelopment of former industrial land needs services such as estate agents, architects, electricians etc.
Case Study-Cambridge Science Park-Kind of Businesses
The majority of companies located in the park are medicinal based
Case Study-Cambridge Science Park-Economical Reasons
- Best graduates will work there
- Has good transport links to and from London via the M11
Case Study-Cambridge Science Park-Social Reasons
- People become employed with well paid jobs
- Workers live nearby
Case Study-Los Angeles-Land Use
- Grew out to the Gold Rush in the 19th Century
- Middle class workers moved to escape the industrial cities of the East
- Has Modern Urban Sprawl
- Greater Los Angles consists of 88 cities
- Largely made up of low density housing
Case Study-Los Angeles-Economic Inequality
- “Donut City”
- Downtown in dominated by TNC’s that offer few opportunities to the low skilled population
- Many companies have moved to suburbs of L.A, or to edge cities like Anaheim
Case Study-Los Angeles-Cultural Diversity
- Mexican Hispanics are the largest group
- City has distinct ethic zones- Chinatown and Little Italy
- African Americans dominate South Central and Watts Districts-They are deprived
Case Study-Mumbai-Land Use
- Founded on 7 islands-Land was drained
- Skyscrapers dominate the CBD
- High tech industries have moved in to take advantage of the highly skilled population
- Luxury area called Malabar Hills
- Around half of the city live on the streets or in shanty towns such as Dharavi
Case Study-Mumbai-Economic Inequality
- Large amount live in poverty
- Growth in unsustainable
- Lots of foreign investment
- Low taxes and large informal economy does not provide the funds for the city to develop
- 5 million have no access to clean water
- Several thousand die a year from road and rail accidents
Case Study-Mumbai-Cultural Diversity
- Mumbai receives 1000 new migrants a day
- Several languages are spoken
- Many faiths are practised in the city
- Many festivals occur in the city
New Urban Landscapes-Town Centre Mixed Used Development
- A blend of residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industry which are physically and functionally interconnected
- Can be easily accessed safely by pedestrians
New Urban Landscapes-Cultural and Heritage Quarters
A cultural quarter can encourage growth and revitalise the local economy in the arts and creative industries
New Urban Landscapes-Cultural and Heritage Quarters-Case Study-Cardiff Bay
- The DR Who experience and the Welsh Assembly are located in Cardiff Bay
- Completed in 1999 a 2km squared Freshwater Lake with 13 KM of waterfront stimulates new commercial, tourist and leisure developments
New Urban Landscapes-Fortress Development
- A development with strong boundaries and increases the polarisation of society
- Do not encourage social mixing as only wealthy group will tend to live in the same defended spaces
New Urban Landscapes-Fortress Development-Case Study-South Africa
- Crime rate is high and people are anxious
- Caused a growing number of middle class people to live in gated communities and to use privately armed security companies
New Urban Landscapes-Gentrified Area
-This is an area that has been gentrified
New Urban Landscapes-Gentrified Area-Case Study-Oxford
- Oxford is one of the least affordable cities in the UK
- Area has been gentrified, this increased the wealth gap
- Oxford City Council has responded by investing in schemes that bring people together, like Community Centres
New Urban Landscapes-Edge Cities
- Some Geographers believe that due to suburbanisation that the suburbs have become centres with city like quarters
- “Edge Cities” are characterised by Mixed office, residential and leisure spaces and tend to be located in the outer suburbs bear to motorway or main road junctions
New Urban Landscapes-Edge Cities-Case Study-Bunkers Hill, Lincoln
- Bunkers Hill is a mixed use site of modern development
- It has 500 estate houses, a numerous services that would typically be found in any town
Multiculturalism-What?
A society that recognises values and promotes the contributions of diverse cultural heritages
Issues with Multiculturalism-Economic-Positives
+Meet labour shortages in the services and manufacturing section
+Do jobs locals do not want to do
Issues with Multiculturalism-Economic-Negatives
- Can cause resentment and racial intolerance during recession
- Leakage of economy
- Creates “Us” vs. “Them” mentality
Issues with Multiculturalism-Housing-Positives
+Multiple occupancy in poor areas-living and working together
Issues with Multiculturalism-Housing-Negatives
- Illegal Squatting
- Not successful in getting a mortgage
- Live in poor areas
Issues with Multiculturalism-Education-Positives
+Ethnic minorities have higher aspirations than locals-Better results