Urbanisation Flashcards
Urban populations increasing
Between 1950 and 2014, the number of people living in urban areas increased from 30% to 50%.
Urbanization began much earlier in the developed world so the majority of people now live in cities.
Most people in the developing world are currently living in rural areas, however this is changing quickly.
e.g. from 1970-2015, the urban population of Beijing increased from 4.4 to 20.4 million.
Urbanisation
The growth in proportion of people living in urban areas - as a result of rural-urban migration and natural increase.
Many migrants are young adults who are likely to have children.
Shanty towns
Unplanned and illegal settlements in developing countries that occur as a result of urbanisation.
Suburbanisation
The migration of people from city centres to the outskirts of cities - as city centres become crowded and people need more space.
People can afford to live further away from cities and commute to work due to improvements in technology.
Economic and ethnic segregation in rural areas
This is a result of wealthy middle class people moving to the suburbs for a better quality of life, leaving poorer (possibly foreign immigrants) people behind.
Counter-urbanisation
The movement of people out of the city into surrounding villages and rural areas.
Improvements in transport and communication mean that people can commute or work from home.
People may leave cities due to high property prices and overcrowding-seeking quieter areas.
This leads to expensive housing in rural areas, meaning that young local people may not be able to afford live there so the average age of the area will change.
Urban resurgence
People moving back to the city centre due to a lack of jobs and the attraction of high quality housing developments.
Common in post-industrial countries such as the UK and USA. New shops and services may open in the city as people move back, boosting the local economy and creating jobs.
However, original residents may not be able to afford to live in the area anymore and will be forced to move to a cheaper location.
Megacities
Urban population of over 10 million 1950: 2 megacities (Tokyo and NYC) 2014: 28 megacities 2030: 41 mega cities predicted 2/3 of megacities are in developing nations.
Reasons for the occurrence of megacities
Rural urban migration
Natural increase
Rapid economic growth = rapid population increase
Other characteristics of megacities
They are often home to the headquarters of TNCs
They have people living at opposite extremes - e.g. some are really rich and some are really poor.
World cities
A city that has political and financial influence over the whole world, e.g. London and Sydney.
Most are in the developed world however some are in emerging economies such as Dubai and Rio.
They have good transport links, allowing them to trade with the rest of the world.
World Cities in the 1950s
The only world cities were London, Paris, NYC, and Tokyo.
However recent economic growth in oil-rich countries such as Nigeria has allowed cities like Lagos to become contenders for the world city status.
World Cities in 1945
London and NYC emerged as leaders of banking and finance.
Banking companies such as HSBC, Lloyds and RBS have headquarters in these locations.
Tokyo and international trade
An example of a world city that dominates international trade and regional economies. It is extremely influential in trade between East Asian nations.
Other characteristic of World Cities
They are generally home to world renowned universities, as well as being centres for science and innovation with high quality research and development facilities.
Culture- they are home to media and communications corporations, theatres, museums and other cultural attractions.
They attract a high number of migrants, business visitors, students and tourists.
