Urbanisation (Including Most Case Studies)

Question 1

Define the term ‘urbanisation’.

Answer 1

The process by which a growing percentage of the population lives in urban areas such as towns and cities rather than rural areas (countryside).

Question 2

How does the rate of urbanisation differ in developing/emerging vs. developed countries?

Answer 2

Developed:
- Urbanisation is slower as large proportion already live in urban
areas.
- Built up areas continue to grow.
- Urban life is spreading into rural areas.

Developing/Emerging:
- High rates of urbanisation occur in developing and emerging countries due to:
Most economic development in these countries is concentrated in big cities
Push/pull factors lead to high rural to urban migration
Cities experiencing natural increase in population

Question 3

What are the main causes of rapid urban growth?

Answer 3

• Most new economic development in these
countries is concentrated in the big cities.
• Push-pull factors are leading to high rates
of rural-urban migration.
• Cities are experiencing high rates of
natural increase in population.

Question 4

What are some of the push/pull factors that cause Rural-Urban MIgration?

Answer 4

Push (away from) :
- Lack of jobs
- Poor Education
- Poor Healthcare

Pull (move to) :
- Better job opportunities with higher wages
- Better education
- Better healthcare
- Public Utilities - better infrastructure

Question 5

What are the 4 stages of the urbanisation pathway?

Answer 5

Stage 1: Early Urbanisation - Low level of urbanisation (developing).
Stage 2: Accelerating Urbanisation - Rate of economic development and urbanisation speed up (emerging).
Stage 3: Mature Urbanisation - As the pace of economic development slows,
so does the rate of urbanisation (developed).
Stage 4: Counter Urbanisation - In advanced economies, decentralisation
sets in, people move to smaller towns and cities and to semi-rural areas.

Question 6

Define the term ‘agglomeration’

Answer 6

• The concentration of people and their activities at particular locations.

Question 7

Define the term ‘suburbanisation’

Answer 7

• The outward spread of the urban area, often at low densities compared with the older parts of a town or city.

The creation of suburbs is encouraged by:
•Improvements in transport, with good
access to the city centre
•Overcrowding elsewhere in the city
•Congestion and high prices in city centre
areas
•Residential quality decline elsewhere
•Increasing rural-urban migration

Question 8

What is ‘urban regeneration’?

Answer 8

• Re-using old areas to encourage people to stay in the urban areas for council tax, business, etc.

Question 9

Define the term ‘counter-urbanisation’

Answer 9

This is the movement of people from urban areas into rural areas.As cities grow even bigger, people and businesses move even further out – to smaller towns and rural areas.

Question 10

What is a ‘megacity’?

Answer 10

A city with a population of over 10 million. e.g. London, Tokyo, etc.

Question 11

What factors affect the growth of megacities?

Answer 11

• Economic development : this is about searching for jobs and trying to make more money to improve standards of living.
- Formal Economy - Pay taxes - recognised jobs - official. e.g. Mumbai, India, etc.
- Informal Economy - Street vendor, cash in hand - don’t usually pay
taxes. e.g. Dhaka, Bangladesh, etc.

• Economies of Scale : Products bought in large quantities can be sold for cheaper prices.
- A megacity can offer some benefits where the impact of people is concentrated in one area, rather than sprawling over a large area. This means better public services, communications and infrastructure.

• Multiplier Effect - as Megacities develop, it acts as a magnet drawing people and businesses due to the creation of jobs, supply, demand, more customers, etc. In turn this further develops increasingly magnetising them - constantly increasing; the cycle continues. This increases the level of urbanisation. e.g. a new business is opened and jobs are created, people fill the vacancies and then have more income to spend (disposable income) so more businesses open due to the increased demand, etc.

• Population growth – As cities develop they act as a ‘pull factor’ drawing in people from rural area to live and work in cities. There is also ‘internal growth’ where people who have moved into the cities have lots of children, so sustaining population growth (Mexico City, Mumbai, Pearl River Delta in China, to name a few).

Question 12

Discuss the trend in the location of megacities, describe the distribution, are there any patterns to how the worlds megacities are spreading?

Answer 12

• Most megacities are found near the coast for means of transportation, communication, trade, etc. e.g. Beijing, New York, etc.
• The majority of megacities are located in Asia/India in the Eastern areas.
• All of the megacities are spreading in emerging countries where the economy is developing.

Question 13

What are the problems associated with rapid urbanisation?

Answer 13

• Housing – Homelessness is a big problem as people from rural areas - cannot afford to buy houses. There is poor public transport so they cannot move to live close to the city centre (the most desirable place to live), to get to their job if they can find an opportunity. As a result, people will often move to live in informal housing areas. This means they do not have the rights to live on certain land - do not own the land. Lots of families are evicted from their homes as a result of this. They are not provided for by the government - no clean water, no electricity, no funding, etc. Towns made up of informal housing are often known as shanty towns.

• Access to water and electricity - People living in informal housing lack the provision of basic services such as clean water and electricity cannot account for the rapid growth of population due to urbanisation. Increased risk of fires for people cooking their food on open campfires may cause settlements to be burnt. Their excretion (sewage) goes into polluted streams into the water cycle causing increased water pollution for people living in the more developed areas.

• Traffic congestion and transport - Poor road qualities and public transport systems to provide for the rapidly growing population. High pollution levels from car emissions causing large amounts of smog. Higher risk of car crashes - too crowded. Ambulances may not be able to get through to help people.

• Health - Lack of healthcare facilities - not enough doctors or hospitals to hold the population. Lots of diseases such as cholera and typhoid from unclean water. Not only this, but from pollution and smog levels lung/respiratory issues/diseases such as asthma and cancer.

• Education - Lack of available schools - many are overcrowded and under-finished. Not enough equipment and basic stationary needs such as notebooks and pencils. Costs extra to send them to school. Students leave school early (after primary) to go and work to provide an income to feed their families. Lack of education - no drivers licenses, lack of basic knowledge - to read and write, basic laws and rights, etc.

• Employment - Hard to find employment/jobs with a sustainable wage. Lots of people informally employed in jobs such as road-side shoe cleaner, selling street goods, selling food and cooking from home. Not close enough to main areas or customers.

• Social problems - Due to poor conditions and cramped accommodations there is a lot of crime, lots of the population are involved in drug trafficking and theft. There are often lots of violent gangs. People are split due to social views, occupation, religion, etc.

• Environmental issues - Large amounts of water and air pollution from large industries. May resort to wasteland/landfill impacting the surrounding rural areas.

Question 14

What are some of the risks and solutions for large cities?

Answer 14

Risks For Large Cities :
- Pollution & Climate Change - Natural Disasters, Rising Sea Levels : Large cities are located near coast : Coastal flooding.
- Deforestation - Loss of biodiversity, etc.
- Food & Water Shortages - Drought, Malnutrition, Starvation,
- Falling GDP - Migration : Increased movement to refugee camps.
- Overpopulation - Demand for food, water, resources, equipment, etc.

Solutions For Large Cities :
- Individual & Large Commitments to Reduce Carbon Footprint - More sustainable and efficient transport systems, productions, etc.
- Introducing Plants and Trees in Urban Areas.
- Switching to Alternative Energy - Wind, Solar & Hydro-electric Power.
- Global Alliances - Sharing Ideas and Technology to Work Together to Tackle Climate Change.
- Architectural Structures - Reducing emissions, safe, sustainable and efficient transport/housing solutions.

Question 15

What is the CBD of a city? What are the features?

Answer 15

CBD - Central Business District :

• Land has very high value - due to lack of space and competition of land, this usually leads to tall buildings resorting to building up.
• Very Accessible - Major rail and road routes (often find public transport stations meet here).
• Banks, Building Societies, Estate Agents - Where they can receive more customers.
• Old Core - Often narrow streets/historical core.

Question 16

Describe the location of Hong Kong as well as any other additional facts.

Answer 16

Hong Kong is located in South-Eastern Asia, off the East-coast of
China. Hong Kong is both a country, city and Island. It has a land area of
over 1000km^2 and over 7m population. 3.1 Earths are needed if
everyone lived the lifestyle of Hong Kong People.

Question 17

What are the social challenges faced by Hong Kong as a result of rapid urbanisation?

Answer 17

• Cycle of poverty - Poverty (Low wages, unemployment)-> Poor accommodation (Slums, overcrowding) -> Poor Health (stress, strain) -> Poor Education (Cannot get a well paid job) -> Lack of occupational skills ->…
• Poverty and deprivation - Hong kong contains pockets of poverty and deprivation and roof-top slums (these are illegal).
• Ethnic segregation - About 94% of the population are of Chinese decent. The other 6% comes from Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal and India. Lots of these people are employed as domestic servants for the more wealthy.
• Social Polarisation - People in poverty forced to move to Rooftop slums (penthouse apartments) which are illegal and are oden evicted. These shoe-box cages are very expensive and barely have enough space to move. Whereas the polar-opposite as the wealthy live in humongous spacious apartments with all appliances, electricity, heating and more. The unequal distribution of income - rich become richer and poor became poorer.
• Social Services - Hong kong provides relatively good healthcare, education and other social services.
• Housing - Hong Kong has become a ‘ver4cal city’ with large skyscrapers. Many people live in public housing. It is the 3rd most expensive place to buy private housing - 1,700 per month to rent a one bedroom flat.

Question 18

What are the environmental challenges faced by Hong Kong as a result of rapid urbanisation?

Answer 18

Pollution - Smog levels from congestion have become so severe it is hard to take pictures. As a result people are forced to wear masks or not go outside. Trapped pollutants on narrow roads due to tall buildings known as ‘the street canyon effect’. 75% of HK’s energy comes from fossil fuels, mainly from coal power plants near the city itself. High population density with large footprint.
• Coral Reefs - Due to climate change, land reclamation, and water pollution is destroying the wide variety of coral species in Hong Kong. Lots of trash and plastic is washed up at the coastline.
• Sustainability - Due to Hong Kong’s size and economic success there is a humongous ecological footprint, to stop this green spaces have been created in the middle of the large urban areas.
• Water Supply - Hong Kong imports 70% of its water supply from China and surrounding suppliers.
• Waste Disposal - Hong Kong’s 11 million residents produce an es4mated 6.4 million tonnes of waste a year. This is usually dumped into landfill or ends up in the ocean. Attempts are being made to increase recycling of waste. This is very unhealthy when it disintegrates into small particles and can enter into respiratory systems causing health problems, such as Asthma.

Question 19

What are the economic challenges faced by Hong Kong as a result of rapid urbanisation?

Answer 19

• Deindustrialization and Globalisation - Hong kong benefits from Globalisation with its economy based from trade and financial service manufacturing has never been a major part of the economy. It is the world’s 11th largest trading country and the world’s largest ‘re-export’ centre.
• Food supply - 0.1% of Hong Kong’s GDP is from agriculture. Most food is imported.
• Energy supply - 75% from fossil fuels (coal), 25% imported from China. Energy supply is mostly from electricity.
• Transport & Traffic - Has good public transport and well developed transport networks - Railways, buses, ferries, cars, trams, etc. 90% of all transport is public in HK.

Question 20

Define the term ‘shanty town’

Answer 20

An area of housing built from scrap material that has been found, often unstable and fires can spread through the camp easily, housing is very cramped. Often built on land without permission.

Question 21

Describe sone features of a squatter settlements.

Answer 21

Squatter settlements are extremely poor residential areas usually found on the outskirts of cities - they are illegal so evictions are common. The houses are made from scrap materials such as wood, plastic, corrugated steel and are very unstable. As a result of this they can collapse due to the weather and may catch fire. To make matters worse they have no running water for sewage, cleansing and drinking. Therefore diseases such as cholera are common among the claustrophobically cramped housing.

Question 22

Describe the location/key facts of Nairobi, Kenya.

Answer 22

• Nairobi, Kenya is located in East Africa
and is the capital of the republic of Kenya.
• Nairobi has a population of 5.1 million.
• This is an example of a developing country

Question 23

Explain the problem of squatter settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

Answer 23

55% of Nairobi’s population live in squatter settlements - the largest slum in
Africa being Kibera. Population - 700,000. Eviction is very common and with the
building of the new government road lots of homes may be destroyed as they have no right to the land as it is government owned.

Question 24

Explain the problem of the informal economy in Nairobi, Kenya

Answer 24

In Kenya, 78% of all working people are involved in the informal economy.
There is also both unemployment and underemployment. Businesses are usually illegal and do not have a premises so it is usually street-side selling. All is payed by ‘cash-in-hand’.

Question 25

Explain the problem of the urban pollution in Nairobi, Kenya

Answer 25

Hygiene is a big problem in Kibera as clean water is very scarce for food
preparation. There is also noise pollution from motorbikes, children playing etc.
There is trash dumped throughout the camp on the uneven streets. To make
matters worse there are no sewage systems.

Question 26

Explain the problem of low quality of life in Nairobi, Kenya

Answer 26

Education is a big problem, there are not enough public schools in Kibera to hold all of the kibera kids. There is very little security and they rely on these schools for food, shelter and their education. Kibera kids are very vulnerable to kidnapping, rape, etc. as there is such a high crime rate. However, these schools are being threatened to be demolished for the construction of a new government road cutting right through the camp destroying peoples homes who legally have no right to be on the land. There is large water pollution throughout the camp so clean water is very expensive for residents who
face diseases such as cholera. There are usually no services. Housing is very
cramped making fires to spread very quickly because they are built out of
flammable scrap materials.

Question 27

Describe the location/key facts about Mexico City, Mexico.

Answer 27

• Mexico City, is located in North America in
• Mexico City has a population of 8.9
  million.

Question 28

Explain the problem of squatter settlements in Mexico City, Mexico

Answer 28

• 46% of Mexico City’s population live in squatter settlements.
• The squatter settlements may be prone to flooding/landslides, as well as fire, crime, spread of disease due to overcrowding.
• Houses are made from scrap materials. Pest infestation is a big problem.

Question 29

Explain the problem of the informal economy in Mexico City, Mexico

Answer 29

In Mexico’s informal economy, there is both unemployment and underemployment. In Mexico, the percentage of people engaged in the informal sector are much lower. Some features include :
• Unqualification/no training
• No legal protection/job security
• Small or no premises - street sides.
• Cash Based, No taxes, Is usually illegal.
Lots of people make a living from sorting through rubbish to sell to recycling
companies for very little income. They have no education or training so they cannot find a better paid job. Some make less than a dollar a day.

Question 30

Explain the problem of urban pollution in Mexico City, Mexico

Answer 30

Mexico City has been faced with air pollution for decades. It has one of the worst air qualities in the world. It has a very large density population. The city is in a valley so there is not good air circulation so the smog is very stagnant. There is not only air pollution but visual and noise pollution - graffiti, noise - cars, children playing, bikes, dogs, etc. Through un-removed rubbish the spread of disease has increased. There are over 5 million cars within one valley.

Question 31

Explain the problem of low quality of life in Mexico City, Mexico

Answer 31

Housing is very cramped and built very unstable on hillsides or from scrap materials making it very vulnerable to landslides. Lots of people live in very unhygienic areas living in trash dumps where there are pest infestations. Children go to work among the trash at young ages to provide for their families. The food they eat is often found in the trash dump. As a result disease is not
uncommon. There are no toilet facilities because clean water is so scarce so they must go outside. Without education the children will be stuck in the poverty cycle like their parents. But thanks to new public schools their children can have healthy food and learn how to break the mould.

Question 32

What are the five options for slum management?

Answer 32

1. Bulldoze and clear away - Demolish and then get rid of the settlements. Most likely to be local/national
2. Clear away but relocate - Clearing away the slums like option 1 but first creating a new development for residents to live in.
3. Redevelop - evicting and rebuilding on the site in a more formal way.
4. Self-help / site-and-service schemes - Self-help give people tools and train to improve their slums as well as low interest loans given for upgrading. Site-and-service gives people the chance to buy or rent a piece of land with basic services such as electricity and sewage systems on a new cleared site. They can start again basically.
5. Ignore… - Local authorities turn a blind eye to the slum or do not have the resources to commit to redevelop them or land. This does not solve any issues.

Question 33

Who are the stakeholders interested in the management/development of squatter settlements? Extra - can you explain why they are interested?

Answer 33

Local: Slum residents / Those nearby / Landowners / planners / city council / employers.

National: Government / National Cities

Global: International Charities (OXFAM, Christian Aid - (mainly option 4). Inter-governmental charities (IGO) - World Bank, UNESCO, WHO, etc.

Question 34

Explain the term ‘rural-urban fringe’

Answer 34

In geography it is the area where the green, open spaces meet the built up areas of towns and cities. Called the rural-urban fringe or just the urban fringe.

Question 35

Why is there urban growth occurring on the urban fringe? What are the push/pull factors for it?

Answer 35

Push Factors:
- Housing is old, congested and relatively
expensive.
- Environmental pollution – air quality is poor, and
noise levels are high.
- Shortage of land for building, shops, offices and
factories – making any unused land costly.

Pull Factors:
- Land is cheaper so houses are larger.
- Spacious factories with good parking.
- Good transport links with main roads.

Question 36

Define the terms ‘greenfield’ and ‘brownfield’ sites.

Answer 36

Greenfield Site - Land that has never been built upon before - in terms of urban land use.
Brownfield Site - Land that has been previously used, abandoned and now awaits a new use.

Question 37

What are the advantages and disadvantages of building on greenfield sites?

Answer 37

Pros:
• Relatively cheap and rate of house building are faster - do not have to remove existing unwanted infrastructure/buildings.
• Layout is not restricted by existing layout.
• Healthier environment.
• Close to countryside, leisure, and recreation.

Cons:
• Development causes noise and light pollution in the surrounding countryside.
• Wildlife and habitats lost or disturbed.
• Valuable farmland lost, Recreational space and attractive scenery lost.
• Encourages further suburban sprawl.

Question 38

What are the advantages and disadvantages of building on brownfield sites?

Answer 38

Pros:
• Reduces the loss of countryside for agricultural or recreational use.
• Helps revive old and disused urban areas.
• Services such as water, electricity, sewage, already in place.
• Located near to main areas of employment.

Cons:
• Often more expensive because old buildings must be cleared, and land made free of pollution.
• Higher levels of pollution.
• May lack access to public transport.
• Often surrounded by rundown areas so does not appeal to more wealthy people.

Question 39

How can urban living be made sustainable?

Answer 39

Making urban living sustainable can be achieved through a range of activities:
• Using renewable energy rather than non-renewable energy
• Using energy more efficiently
• Rely on public transport rather than private transport
• Improving the physical infrastructure – clean water and proper sanitation
• Improving social services and access to them
• Improving the quality of life, particularly of the urban poor.

Question 40

What 2 case studies do you need to review that are not in this deck of flashcards?

Answer 40

London (UK), & Curitiba (Brazil) :D