Urbanisation / suburbanisation / counter-urbanisation Flashcards
Urbanisation definition
When the percentage of the population living in urban areas in a country increases
Urban growth definition
When the overall number of people living in urban areas increases
Urban expansion definition
When the size (in square km) of one town or city increases
What is urban expansion also known as?
Urban sprawl
Where is the most urbanised region of the world?
North America
Where is the most rural region of the world?
Africa and Asia
Where are the fastest growing urban areas?
Asia and Africa
Where does most of the urban growth happen?
Happens in low income countries
Why is the population in big cities growing?
-young people go there
-big cities tend to have better universities
-jobs for uni graduates tend to be better in cities
-young people are having children there
-birth rates are higher there than in rural areas
Push factors for rural areas
-the farm land has to support increasing numbers, so food shortages often occur
-land previously used to grow food for locals is now growing “cash crops” for export
-desertification because of low rainfall
-natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tropical storms etc
-high levels of diseases (far away from medical centres)
Pull factors for urban areas
-more employment opportunities
-can earn more in the informal sector
-better quality education and healthcare available
-more entertainment
-images in media make it look more attractive to people
What is suburbanisation?
Growth of the city edges / when people move to the edges of the city
What is re-urbanisation?
Movement back to the city centre
Pull factors for suburbs
-sense of community
-not busy
-less traffic
-spacious
-safer
-less pollution
-affordable housing
-better education
-less crime
Examples of suburbs of London
Twickenham / Wimbledon / Ealing
