Urban issues and challenges Flashcards
What is urbanisation?
The increase in proportion of people living in towns and cities.
How have rates of urbanisation changed over time?
Urbanisation first occurred in HIC’s during the industrial revolution as people were attracted to urban areas in search of industrial work, as well as mechanisation on farms resulting in less work rurally. Now, urbanisation occurs mainly in LIC’s and NEE’s as they develop
Why is urbanisation increasing in poorer countries?
Rural-urban migration due to industrialisation and development, as well as push and pull factors. Urban growth rates are slower in more developed countries because urbanisation has already taken place
What are some examples of push factors?
-Agricultural challenges (farming mechanisation)
-Economic pressures
-Resource scarcity
-Disasters and conflict
What are some examples of pull factors?
-Employment opportunities
-Higher living standards
-Education
-Social factors eg family ties
-Healthcare services
What is a megacity?
A city with a population of 10 million or more.
(CASE STUDY) What is the importance of Rio?
Regional level - provides schools, hospitals and universities with opportunities for development, leisure and recreation. Also important as a transport hub with docks and an airport to enable trade
National level - Mining, oil and telecommunication companies have headquarters there. Major entertainment and media organisations
Global level - Olympic games and world cup hosted there. Statue of Christ the redeemer brings many religious tourists as well as its natural beauty of beaches and Sugarloaf mountains as well as the festivals
How have the distribution of megacities changed over time?
-Going from only 4 megacities in 1975 to estimated 35 today
-63% found in Asia
-Fastest growing megacities found in Africa due to high population and rural-urban migration whereas Western cities usually have slower growth rates.
How is Rio’s population changing?
-Relatively low death rate and high birth rate
-Better healthcare leading to lower infant mortality
-Many national migrants from other areas of Brazil drawn by economic opportunities
-65% of Rio’s population growth over 150 years due to migration
How has the growth of Rio been beneficial socially?
Improved infrastructure such as the creation of Line 4 of the Metro linked to the 2016 Olympic games
Skilled international migrants contribute by starting businesses and bringing expertise
Improved access to healthcare due to more medical professionals (some favelas increasing healthcare coverage from 4% to 70%)
Improved education with over 1,000 schools
What are the environmental challenges of development in Rio?
Waste production - Rio generates 3.5 million tonnes of waste annually but less than 2% is recycled highlighting a significant gap in sustainable waste management
-Car ownership increased by 40%, leading to increased emissions
-Air pollution causes 5000 deaths annually
-Over 50 tonnes of industrial waste is dumped into the Rio bay daily
How has urban greening created opportunities in Bristol?
-Green Square which has been transformed from a duel carriageway into an open green space with cycle routes.
-Designating 27% of the city as a wildlife network
-Increases biodiversity and tourism
-Increased social opportunities
How has water and energy conservation made Freiburg more sustainable?
-Renewable energy sources such as solar energy (Freiburg have over 400 solar power stations including the train station and football stadium) decrease emissions and make Freiburg more sustainable
-Green roofs and permeable pavements allow for water to be reused in the environment which reduces the demand for treated water
-Green building technologies allow for lower heating and energy demands, contributing to sustainability
-Xeriscaping reduces the need for irrigation thus reducing water demands
-Rainwater harvesting and sustainable drainage solutions flow excess rainwater to the river where it is stored to be reused in the environment
How can international migration be a consequence of uneven development?
-Uneven development can cause war/conflict as the power is in the hands of just a few people, leading to persecution and violence so refugees often migrate to safer and more developed nations
-Unevenly developed areas may struggle with healthcare, education and social services so they migrate for a better quality of life
-In better developed countries there are more employment opportunities for higher paying jobs, with the disparity in job markets being a major cause of migration
How has manufacturing caused development in Nigeria?
-Accounts for 27% of Nigeria’s GDP, faster growing than oil and gas
-Due to cheap labour forces, improving infrastructure and rapidly growing home market
Improvements and developments in transport and infrastructure in the UK?
-HS2 scheme aimed to link London to Birmingham and Birmingham to Manchester
-Aimed to decrease the North-South divide
-So is expected to create jobs, provide employment and boost the economy
-However expected costs rose from £40 billion to estimated £60 billion or more, as well as the Birmingham-Manchester connection being cancelled
Liverpool 2 scheme will create thousands of jobs, boost economy in Liverpool and reduce freight traffic
-Will also double the capacity to 1.5 million containers annually
-However will cost £300 million so will hinder the economy and tax rates
