Urban Issues and Challenges Flashcards
What is urbanisation?
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 percentage of the population in Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs) lives in urban areas?
Around 50%.
What is the typical rate of urbanisation in Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)?
Typically around 2%.
What causes urbanisation?
Rural-urban migration and natural increase.
What is rural-urban migration?
The movement of people from the countryside to cities.
What are push factors in rural-urban migration?
Factors that encourage people to leave an area, such as natural disasters and lack of jobs.
What are pull factors in rural-urban migration?
Factors that encourage people to move to an area, such as better job opportunities and access to healthcare.
What is natural increase in the context of urbanisation?
When the birth rate exceeds the death rate, leading to population growth.
What is a megacity?
An urban area with more than 10 million residents.
As of 2018, how many megacities are there globally?
33 megacities.
How many of the 33 megacities are located in LICs and NEEs?
27 megacities.
By what year is the number of megacities expected to increase to 43?
By 2030.
Fill in the blank: The rate of urbanisation is the change in size of urban populations over _______.
[time].
What factors affect the population distribution in the UK?
Relief and access to natural resources
The change in the height of the land influences where people live.
What are conurbations?
Towns that have merged to form continuous urban areas
These areas typically have the highest population density.
Which regions in the UK are sparsely populated?
Upland regions such as the north of Scotland
These areas are difficult to farm and have few natural resources.
Why have many coastal areas attracted human settlement?
Sheltered bays and river estuaries suitable for building harbours
Key ports like Liverpool and Cardiff have developed into major cities.
What role did mineral wealth play in urban development in the UK?
It led to rapid population growth where industries developed
Cities like Newcastle and Leeds developed on major coalfields.
Where do most urban areas in the UK develop?
Lowland areas
These areas are easier to build on and have milder climates than upland areas.
What is the population of London?
Around 9 million people
This is about 16% of the UK’s total population.
What is the Central Business District (CBD)?
The area usually in the middle of a city with most amenities and services
The CBD is often surrounded by a ring road.
What characterizes the inner city area of most UK cities?
A mix of residential land use with some businesses and recreational parks
Short, parallel roads often indicate areas of terraced housing.
What are suburbs?
Mainly residential areas towards the edge of the city
Often characterized by semi-detached houses and short, curved streets.
What is the rural-urban fringe?
The area on the edge of the city with farmland, open spaces, and new housing developments
It also includes large retail and business parks.
How can you identify different zones in UK cities on a map?
By looking for a mixture of white space and built-up areas
Each zone has distinct characteristics that can be visually identified.
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.
Sustainable living also implies not irreversibly damaging the environment or depleting resources faster than they can be replenished.
Why is it unlikely that big cities will ever be truly sustainable?
Big cities require so many resources that achieving true sustainability is improbable.
However, measures can be taken to enhance sustainability in urban living.
What are vital resources in cities that are often not managed sustainably?
Water and energy.
Conservation schemes can help in managing these resources more sustainably.
What is a key principle of water conservation schemes?
Only as much water should be taken from the environment as can be naturally replaced.
This principle helps ensure the sustainability of water resources.
List three examples of water conservation methods.
- Collecting rainwater for use on gardens or for flushing toilets
- Installing toilets that flush less water
- Installing water meters so that people pay for the water they use
Encouraging less water use, such as turning off taps, is also important.
What is unsustainable about burning fossil fuels for energy?
Fossil fuels will eventually run out and contribute to climate change by producing greenhouse gases.
This emphasizes the need for alternative energy sources.
What are examples of energy conservation schemes?
- Promoting renewable energy (e.g. wind or solar)
- Encouraging energy-efficient homes
- Ensuring new homes meet minimum energy efficiency requirements
- Reducing car use by promoting public transport
These actions help decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
What initiative has the city of Curitiba, Brazil, implemented for water conservation?
The installation of water meters in homes and hosepipe bans.
Curitiba also has separate systems for non-drinking water.
What percentage of Curitiba’s water consumption is compared to other Latin American cities?
It is around half that of other Latin American cities.
This demonstrates the effectiveness of their water conservation policies.
What transportation improvement did Curitiba undertake in 2009?
Renovated its ‘Green Line’ transport system with dedicated bus lanes for biofuel buses.
This initiative aims to enhance public transport efficiency.
What energy source does Curitiba primarily use for electricity?
84% of its energy comes from renewable hydroelectric power.
This significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to other cities.
What is the reduction percentage of CO2 emissions from electricity in Curitiba compared to other Latin American cities?
About 65% less.
This reflects the city’s successful energy conservation efforts.
What are some reasons that cities can be considered unsustainable?
Cities can be noisy, dirty, busy, and hot, making them unpleasant and stressful for residents.
How do green spaces contribute to urban sustainability?
They provide cooler areas, encourage exercise, and improve happiness by offering a break from city noise.
What environmental benefits do green spaces provide?
- Reduce air pollution
- Decrease the risk of flooding
What government scheme did Curitiba launch in 2007 regarding green spaces?
The scheme encouraged landowners to preserve green areas and limited urban sprawl by providing tax exemptions for park creators.
What is Barigui Park designed to do?
It is designed to absorb flood waters, eliminating the need for unsightly flood defenses.
What is the predicted amount of plastic in landfill by 2050 if current trends continue?
12 billion tonnes
What are some consequences of landfill waste?
- Wastes resources that could be recycled
- Releases greenhouse gases as it decomposes
What are some waste recycling schemes mentioned?
- Kerbside collections of recyclable materials
- Building recycling facilities for larger items
- Websites like Freecycle™ and Freegle
What incentive does The Green Exchange Programme provide in Curitiba?
Residents receive 1 kg of food or bus tickets for every 4 kg of recyclable waste collected.
What are some problems caused by traffic congestion in urban areas?
- Environmental problems from increased air pollution
- Economic issues from delays
- Social problems including higher accident rates
What public transport strategies have been implemented in London?
- Docklands Light Railway
- London’s Underground system
- Self-service bicycle hire
- Electronic ‘Oyster Cards’
What is the purpose of the Docklands Light Railway?
It connects east London to the city centre and is used by around 120 million people each year.
How does London’s Underground system impact road usage?
It takes 3 million people off the roads every day.
What is the benefit of using self-service bicycles in urban transport?
They are cheaper than other forms of public transport and improve cyclist safety.
What are ‘urban clearways’?
Major roads along which stopping or parking is very limited.
What is the effect of congestion charging in urban areas?
It discourages drivers from entering the city centre at peak times.
What is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Curitiba designed to do?
It uses dedicated bus lanes to ensure quick bus journeys.
What is the impact of Curitiba’s BRT system on carbon emissions?
Curitiba’s carbon emissions are 25% lower per capita than the average Brazilian city.
