Urban Processes Flashcards
Why Is Urbanisation Happening - LICs?
LICs such as Niger have a low urban population - agrarian - focus on agriculture. Their crop yields are low however - don’t have enough to sell and go into other jobs - die of starvation - lack of education + skills - decrease in tertiary/secondary sector and so their urban pull is low in attracting businesses/people.
Why Is Urbanisation Happening - NEEs?
NEEs e.g. China - 1. Industrialisation - Shenzhen - manufacturing pays better - pull factor.
2. Taxation - urban areas - better infrastructure/attractiveness to businesses - increased inequality gap between rural areas.
3. Agriculture - mechanisation - increased crop yield - increased unemployment - push to urban areas.
Result - Mexico City population increased by 0.6% NYC decreased by 0.32% in a year excluding migration.
Why Is Urbanisation Happening - HICs?
Low rate of urbanisation but high urban population - UK - 84%.
- Urbanisation already happened in the past.
- Economic change - secondary to tertiary sector - “footloose” - online jobs - don’t need to be in UK - less pull factors to HICs cities now.
- Rural to urban inequality low - less pull/push factors.
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In NEEs - Social
Urban growth happening too fast - gov lack time/money to cope - do not have capacity for housing/infrastructure like electricity + sewers - led to more rural movement to hills/outskirts such as Rocinha in Rio Dijinero - 1/5 of High Wycombe - population 100,000.
Gov does not provide amenities/services - less sanitation + more water born diseases like cholera affecting health. Gov do not want to legitimise area - affects hospitals + overcrowds them. Lack of education also leads to increased drop out rates - less income + more crime
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In NEEs - Economic
Due to social problems - loss of productivity due to people who are rich enough to afford cars - heavily taken over bikes/walking led to loss of value - GDP decreased by 0.9% as a result of wasting time through traffic - affects staff absenteeism.
Employment - Poor health - 10 years lower life expectancy in slums. Lower skills so cannot acquire jobs in formal economies which have higher pay and provide contracts. Unemployment at 20% led to informal jobs like selling fruit at beach to tourists.
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In NEEs - Environmental
Social + economic problems led to environmental problems. Air pollution due to cheaper inefficient vehicles led to less income, tax, investment into public transport + education - 1/5 of people over 65 dying from air pollution in Rio.
4% waste recycled - huge landfills - water released acids into soils contaminating water + organic decomposition of bananas for e.g. led to the release of methane - global env problems.
Sewers - only 55% treated - unhealthy water - 3 tablespoons can give diseases (Guanabara Bay).
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In HICs - Social
Lack of integration - international vs internal - may not mix together - assimilation (mix with local population) - language culture - only communicate between themselves. For example Syrian vs Polish migrants. Syrian - different language spoken plus religion - Islam vs Christianity - lack of assimilation whilst Polish speak same language plus religion. 16% of people in Bristol were not born there.
Like NEEs - pressure on services such as healthcare - Southmead hospital - Bristol - not as severe however.
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In HICs - Economic
Housing cost - Bristol doubled from 2010 -2020 - £150k to £300k - income rise does not keep up with house price - Harbourside Bristol.
Vertical development - less urban sprawl.
Inequality - FDI - 4th sector businesses into Bristol like Airbus led to inequality - affluent areas like Stoke Bishop and deprived areas like Filwood. Also due to high skilled migration - can’t afford housing.
Negative Consequences of Urbanisation In HICs - Environmental
Urban sprawl - as city expands - increased distance to travel - increased car use - pollution.
Urban sprawl impacted on ecosystems in Bristol like in Harry Stoke (suburb) led to affecting in endemic species like the great crested Newt - gov unable to mitigate urban sprawl through strategies like vertical integration.
What Is Counter Urbanisation?
Movement of people from within a city to beyond city limits.
Causes Of Counter Urbanisation?
Economic Change - de-industrialisation in Liverpool led to “urban decline” led to increased unemployment led to decreased QOL.
Urban Policy - e.g. green belt - 1950s - restricted outwards growth - affluent leaving to idyllic rural villages e.g. Formby Liverpool - QOL - beaches, golf clubs less deprivation + better services. Also provide excellent transport links - motorway + railway to Liverpool.
Positive Effects Of Counter Urbanisation
Gain QOL for people who move e.g. through life expectancy, education + average income.
Better services e.g. Formby has outstanding ratings by OFSTED - increased demand.
Negative Effects Of Counter Urbanisation
Economic - increase in house prices - 30% increase average semi detached 3 beds - £350k.
Conflict - land use agriculture vs housing e.g. Farm Show in Formby - insider vs outsider.
Less services - less demand - retail - Formby High Street - affluent use services in city (Liverpool).
How Has Urban Policy Changed In The UK?
1979-1991 - urban policy - effort by gov on a national or local scale to improve QOL + economy within city. Took a neoliberal approach with the goal to attract investment. Thought this would lead to multiplier effect.
What Is The Urban Development Corporation (UDC)?
This is where Quangos were developed - semi owned by gov, autonomous + funded and given authority to buy land + invest.
Examples Of A UDC
London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDR) - 1/3 houses previously inadequate to live in, 50% buildings derelict + unemployment at 24% (Isle Of Dogs).
However through investment they removed old industrial sites + invested heavily in infrastructure - Docklands Light Railway (DLR) - underground - runs through Jubilee line + Canary Wharf and also constructed London City Airport.
Successes Of Change In Urban Policy In The UK
Attracted major businesses such as HSBC and Barclays which increased ROI leading to more taxes + multiplier effect.
Limitations Of Change In Urban Policy In The UK
Inequality - employees who benefit were external such as from USA and other cities whilst locals in Whitechapel were deprived.
