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
What efforts were made by the Lagos transport authority to reduce traffic congestion?
- bus rapid transfer - separate lane for buses - only North-South route
- new light railway - West-East route
- Lagos rail mass transit - 7 new rail lines
What is involved in the wider strategic transport master plan in Lagos?
- integrated transport
- network of ferries
- separate bus lane
- airport further from congested area
How available is water from water vendors in Lagos?
Common, hard to obtain from any other source
How available is water from pipes in Lagos?
Only 10% of Lagos have water from pipes
How available is water from wells or boreholes in Lagos?
Residents dig for groundwater, quite available
How pure is water from water vendors in Lagos?
Could be contaminated, they get the water from wells and boreholes
How pure is water from pipes in Lagos?
Has been treated and purified
How pure is water from wells or boreholes in Lagos?
Can be contaminated by sewage which has soaked into the ground
How sustainable is water from water vendors in Lagos?
Not sustainable, but licenses are beginning to be issued for boreholes
How sustainable is water from pipes in Lagos?
Water treatment plants extract river water to supply it, need more water though
How sustainable is water from wells or boreholes in Lagos?
Issuing licenses for boreholes
What is the annual rainfall for Lagos?
2000mm
There is plenty of water in Lagos, but what is the main problem with providing a safe supply?
Groundwater around the lagoon can be contaminated with salt water - this problem will increase with rising sea levels
What are the two main problems in Lagos associated with rising sea levels?
- flooding
* contamination of fresh water supplies
Why might the impact of sea level rise be more severe in Lagos than other cities?
Lagos in on the coast and the shanty town is built on stilts on the lagoon - if Makoko floods people won’t have anywhere to live
Points to support the demolition of Makoko?
- bad advertisement for Lagos
* 100s of people have to share a single toilet in some areas
Points to support the improvement of Makoko?
- rainwater harvesting - rainwater collected from roofs and stored
- school built on floating barrels
- raised houses so there’s less chance of them flooding
What is population density?
How many people live in a given area - normally km2
What is population distribution?
The pattern of population i.e. how spread out a population is
What are the biggest cities in the U.K.?
- London
- Birmingham
- Leeds
Why are some areas of the U.K. sparsely populated?
- some areas are protected e.g. National Parks
- some areas are unsafe to live e.g. eroding coastline
- fewer opportunities if a place is cut off
- relief of land e.g. too steep
- high quality soil = good agricultural land
Why are some areas of the U.K. densely populated?
- greater opportunities due to geographical location
- close to other markets e.g. EU
- flat land
- agricultural land rubbish = fine to build on
Describe the location of London
Located in the South East of England on the River Thames
Who were London’s original settlers?
The romans. They settled after defeating the Britons
What is a world city?
A city with a global influence, not just a national one
What is data manipulation?
Performing a calculation on data to support an answer
Why are there fewer elderly people living in London?
High costs, more polluted and too many young people
What age is the largest proportion of the population of London?
20-34 due to good job opportunities and education
What is a cultural mix?
A place with integration of cultures
What is multiculturalism?
A place that is more than one culture living in close proximity
What is gentrification?
The process of renovating a district by higher income earners
What did the 2011 census reveal about London’s cultural mix?
- it is one of the most diverse places on earth
- Newham, Brent & Tower Hamlets - white are the minority
- inner London - has the highest non-white population in the country
Advantages of London’s Cultural Mix?
- enriches London’s cultural life
- music variety
- exposure to other religions and languages
- cultural events
Disadvantages of London’s cultural mix?
- integration - conversing in English, mix with other groups
- ghettos - preventing poorer groups living in the poorest areas
- language - public services need translation services
Examples of recreation and entertainment in London?
- west end
- sports - Wimbledon
- cultural attractions - natural history museum, national gallery
What are the 3 main reasons to live in London for employment opportunities?
- largest contributor to the U.K. economy
- houses a major financial centre
- London residents are more likely to be employed in managerial roles compared to rest of U.K.
Which sector dominates jobs in the London? Why?
Finance and insurance because London has a major world financial centre
What is an integrated transport system?
Different forms of transport linking to one another
To what extent does London have an integrated transport system?
- public and private integrated - 25% are public journeys
* air ports, buses, and trains link the U.K. together at stations like kings cross
How and why are London’s passenger numbers expected to increase in the further?
- demand predicted to grow by 60% by 2050
* more people migrating to London
How could the cross rail improvements in London lead to redevelopment of other areas?
- new east-west rail route
- tunnel under city centre
- impact well on property values
- encourage regeneration if people can access it easily
What is urban greening?
Increasing the proportion of green space within a city
How does London provide for urban greening?
• canals, rivers and river jetties for
bird breeding
- rooftop green spaces for plants and living
- Hampstead Heath
- new building projects e.g. Olympic village
- green spaces open to public
How much green space is there in London?
38% - mainly big parks
What is social deprivation?
The degree to which a person or community lacks services, housing, income or local employment
What can measure social deprivation within a city?
- quality of available food
- life expectancy
- gcse grades
- quality of housing
- amount of people on benefits
- income
- access to healthcare
What is a green belt?
Green, open space around cities on which there are strict planning controls to prevent urban development in the countryside
What is brown field?
Land that has been used, abandoned and now awaits a new use
What is a rural urban fringe?
A zone of transition between a built up area and the country, where there is often computation for land use
Where was regenerated due to the London 2012 olympics?
Lower Lea Valley, Newham
What was done in Newham to prepare for the Olympics?
- land bridges - high level of access required
- car parks
- over head power lines moved under ground
- soil processed
Benefits of the Olympic Games in London?
- 9000 new homes
- clean up urban wasteland
- improve transportation
- new jobs and business opportunities - 12000 jobs
- tourist industry
Opposition to the bid for the London Olympic Games?
- potential loss of habitat
- 500 mature trees cut down
- bridge construction - drain significant sections of the waterways
- businesses and home relocated
- noise & dust pollution
Social impacts of urban regeneration on the Lower Lea Valley due to the Olympics?
- venue easy for athletes to access from village
- venues cater for all ages and abilities
- visitors enjoy
- tickets don’t cost a lot
- new roads
Economic impacts of urban regeneration on the Lower Lea Valley due to the Olympics?
- homes and offices built in park
- some venues easy to take down again
- rail and underground lines improved
- housing sold/rented
Environmental impacts of urban regeneration on the Lower Lea Valley due to the Olympics?
- polluted rivers cleaned up
- waste from shops and eateries recycled
- contaminated soil washed and reused
- power plant using biomass
- wind turbines for extra electricity
What is pollution?
The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change
What is traffic congestion?
A condition on transport networks that occurs as use increases
What is waste recycling?
Converting waste into new materials and objects
What were the causes of the Great Smog in London?
- cold temperature - burn more coal
- vehicle exhaust - steam locomotives, diesel buses recently replaced trams
- weather - anticyclone and fog stopped pollutants dispersing
What year was the Great Smog?
1952
What were the impacts of the Great Smog in London?
- reduced visibility
- cease of public transport
- killed 4000 - most due to respiratory problems
- rethinking of air pollution
What were the responses to the Great Smog in London?
- new regulations e.g. restricting use of dirty fuels
* householders offered gas fires instead of coal
What is the London Congestion Zone?
A fee charged on most vehicles operating within a certain area in Central London
What is sustainability?
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations
What does sustainable living aim to include?
- use of renewable resources
- energy efficiency
- use of public transport
What are three examples showing how easy it is for sustainable cities to be created?
- U.K. - ask population then government decides - movement can be opposed
- china - government decides and people don’t have a choice if they’re forced out their homes
- dubai - desert, blank canvas
