Urban Issues & Challenges Flashcards
What happens as the number of people living in rural areas decreases?
The urban share of the world population increases
What is population density?
The number of people per km²
Describe an urban area in a rural context
Usually has a lower population, nucleated
What are nucleated villages?
Villages centred around a particular thing
What are linear villages?
Villages built mainly down roads
How many megacities where there in 1975?
4 - Tokyo, New York, Mexico City and São Paulo
How many mega cities are there today?
Over 20
What are the four biggest megacities?
- Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Delhi, India
- Manila, Philippines
What has been the main driver over the past 50 years in LICs and NEEs urbanisation?
Rural-urban migration
What are the factors affecting the population of a city?
Births, death, in-migration, out-migration
Example of an environmental push factor?
Climate change means unpredictable weather -> extreme weather, drought
Example of an economical push factor?
Not enough income e.g. farmers who cannot sell enough crops, no jobs
Example of a social push factor?
Ethnic discrimination, crime, poor healthcare, large family -> too many mouths to feed
Example of a political push factor?
War, ethnic cleansing, corrupt governments
Example of an environmental pull factor?
Cleaner water -> pipes, less prone to extreme weather because inland
Example of an economical pull factor?
More jobs, lower cost of living, medical care
Example of a social pull factor?
Better schools and housing, religious freedom
Example of a political pull factor?
Feel safer, democratic government-> fair/just
Impacts for the recipient of rural to urban migration?
Overcrowding, large shanty towns on areas no one wants e.g. steep slopes
Impacts for the donor of rural to urban migration?
Less people to grow crops, communities don’t function when there are not enough people -> encourage more people to move to cities
Do people have a better quality of life in urban areas?
Even though shanty towns form so housing is poorer than in rural areas, communities also form which could mean a better quality of life
Which is the largest and wealthiest city in Nigeria?
Lagos
What has improved in Lagos in the 21st century?
Life expectancy, years spent in school and wealth
due to:
high levels of health care, education and employment
Is healthcare available in Lagos?
Yes, but its not free
What is the crime rate in Lagos?
High - muggings, car jackings, organised gangs
To tackle: city has bought 3 helicopters
What is the richer and poorer area in Lagos?
Victoria Island - rich
Makoko- poor
What are the challenges in Lagos due to rapid urban development?
- millions of people forced to live in poorly built homes
- traffic congestion - motorbike taxis = fatal accidents
- high air pollution rates
- scavengers at tip
- power cuts - so people hook into the electricity using wires
- sewage in water -> where people wash
Where is Nigeria located?
In West Africa, towards the Eastern end
Where is Lagos located in Nigeria?
On the Southern Coast, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea
What is the capital city of Nigeria?
Abuja as it is more central than Lagos
What percentage of imports does Lagos handle?
Lagos ports handle 4/5 of Nigeria’s imports, 70% of exports
What is the growth rate in Lagos?
6% - 600,000 per year
What is the average income in Lagos per year?
£670
Why is the population growth in Lagos so rapid?
- oil boom in Nigeria in the 1970s drew people to the city
- natural increase
- rural-urban migration
Push factors from rural areas to Lagos?
- low wages in farming
- unemployment
- political unrest, terrorism
- climate change and drought
- poor healthcare
- poverty
- land shortages
- land degradation (pollution and poor farming)
- poor education
- few opportunities
Pull factors to Lagos?
- chance of education
- jobs created by oil boom
- better standard of living
Opportunities in Lagos?
- good transport connections - airport, railway
- growing population - large market for goods and services
- schools and universities- well educated/skilled workforce
How does the employment rate in Lagos compare to the rest of Nigeria?
9.9% lower than the rest of Nigeria
How has urban growth created opportunities? (possible exam question)
Social - health, education, water, energy -> comparison of rich and poor
Economical- stimulus for economic development and jobs e.g. some businesses start, and need other businesses to support it
What are the major challenge facing Lagos?
- shanty towns
- traffic congestion
- water supply
- sea level rise
Why have previous demolition attempts of Makoko by the government failed?
The people of Makoko and protective of their home and residents have no where else to go
What are the conditions of shanty towns in Makoko?
- densely populated - shortage of land
- homes are makeshift shelters
- homes built on stilts
- lack of sanitation
- edge of Lagos lagoon
What is the fatal accident rate in Lagos?
28 per 100,000 people
How much higher are the air pollution rates in Lagos than the internationally recommended limit?
5 times higher