Urban Environments 6.3 The Problems of Rapid Urbanisation

Question 1

what are the problems associated with rapid urbanisation? (8)

Answer 1

• housing
• access to water and electricity
• traffic congestion and transport
• health
• education
• employment
• social problems
• environmental issues

Question 2

in what way is HOUSING a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (4)

Answer 2

• when the people that move from rural areas to cities arrive, there is nowhere affordable for them to live
• millions live in what were meant to be temporary shanty towns or squatter settlements
• even for those with money, the demand for housing exceeds supply
• as a result, hosing is expensive relative to wages

Question 3

in what was is ACCESS TO WATER AND ELECTRICITY a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (2)

Answer 3

• often these basic services cannot keep up with the population growth
• as a result not all parts of city will be provided with running water, sanitation or electricity

Question 4

in what way is TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND TRANSPORT a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (3)

Answer 4

• proper roads and transportation also lags behind population growth
• as a result transport systems become overloaded and overcrowded
• the high numbers of vehicles also cause high levels of atmospheric pollution

Question 5

in what way is HEALTH a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (3)

Answer 5

• there are often not enough doctors or hospitals to deal with population growth
• due to lack of access to clean water and sanitation, disease and infections spread quickly
• atmospheric pollution leads to breathing problems

Question 6

in what way is EDUCATION a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (2)

Answer 6

• rapid population growth also means a lack of schools

- too expensive and many children have to help support their family

Question 7

in what way is EMPLOYMENT a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (2)

Answer 7

• many are unable to find proper paid work

- instead they are unemployed or become part of informal sector

Question 8

in what way are SOCIAL PROBLEMS a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (2)

Answer 8

• due to crowded and unpleasant environments in many cities, there are high crime rates
• poorest areas often inhabited by street gangs involved in drug trafficking

Question 9

in what way are ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES a problem caused by rapid urbanisation? (4)

Answer 9

• traffic, industry and housing are among the worst polluters of air and water
• also noise and visual pollution
• waste disposal is another cause of environmental pollution
• also spreading urban area causes damage to surrounding countryside