Urban Issues and Challlenges

Question 1

Define urbanisation.

Answer 1

The increasing percentage of a country’s population living in towns and cities.

Question 2

Two main causes of urbanisation in LICs?

Answer 2

Rural-urban migration and natural increase.

Question 3

What’s the difference between an LIC, NEE and HIC?

Answer 3

LIC = low income; NEE = rapidly developing; HIC = high income, developed.

Question 4

What’s a megacity?

Answer 4

A city with a population over 10 million.

Question 5

Where are most megacities found today?

Answer 5

Asia, Africa, and South America (LICs/NEEs).

Question 6

Location and importance of Lagos?

Answer 6

SW Nigeria; Africa’s fastest-growing city, financial hub, port, airport, trade.

Question 7

Population of Lagos?

Answer 7

Over 21 million (fastest-growing city in Africa).

Question 8

3 causes of Lagos’ population growth?

Answer 8

Rural-urban migration, high birth rate, international migration.

Question 9

Name 2 pull factors for people moving to Lagos.

Answer 9

Jobs, education, healthcare, electricity, entertainment.

Question 10

What’s Makoko?

Answer 10

A large informal settlement/slum built on stilts over the lagoon.

Question 11

2 challenges of living in Makoko.

Answer 11

Overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of clean water, fire risk.

Question 12

2 challenges Lagos faces from rapid growth.

Answer 12

Traffic congestion, air/water pollution, unemployment, housing shortage.

Question 13

One solution to Lagos’ transport problems?

Answer 13

BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), danfos regulated, integrated transport plans.

Question 14

Name a scheme to improve education in Lagos.

Answer 14

Makoko Floating School (pilot project for slum improvement).

Question 15

2 ways Lagos is trying to be sustainable.

Answer 15

Floating communities, transport improvements, better energy, waste recycling.

Question 16

Evaluate Lagos’ urban planning.

Answer 16

Innovative ideas (like floating school), but scale too small for massive population growth.

Question 17

Where is Stratford and why was it regenerated?

Answer 17

East London, regenerated for 2012 Olympics — it was previously derelict and industrial.

Question 18

Why did Stratford need regeneration?

Answer 18

High unemployment, poor housing, contaminated brownfield land.

Question 19

2 benefits of Stratford regeneration.

Answer 19

New homes (35% affordable), 10,000 jobs, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, improved transport.

Question 20

2 negatives of regeneration in Stratford.

Answer 20

Gentrification, locals pushed out, rising rents, community lost.

Question 21

What is a brownfield site?

Answer 21

Land previously built on, often contaminated, reused for new development.

Question 22

How has regeneration improved sustainability in Stratford?

Answer 22

Green spaces, eco-friendly buildings, public transport links.

Question 23

What makes a city sustainable?

Answer 23

It meets people’s needs without damaging future generations or the environment.

Question 24

3 sustainable urban strategies.

Answer 24

Water conservation, energy efficiency, waste recycling, green spaces.

Question 25

Example of sustainable urban transport in HIC?

Answer 25

London: congestion charge, Cycle Superhighway, Oyster/contactless integration.

Question 26

Example of sustainable urban transport in LIC/NEE?

Answer 26

Lagos BRT system, regulation of danfo minibuses.

Question 27

Why is urbanisation a global challenge?

Answer 27

Leads to pressure on services, housing shortages, pollution, but also economic opportunity.

Question 28

What makes urban planning in LICs difficult?

Answer 28

Limited funding, rapid growth, informal settlements, lack of regulation.

Question 29

Evaluate urban change in Stratford.

Answer 29

Major investment improved infrastructure, but social inequality remains.

Question 30

How do cities balance growth and sustainability?

Answer 30

Through eco-design, public transport, urban planning — but it's costly and complex.