Topic 8: Urban issues and challenges

• How many countries in Africa have urban populations of more than 20%?

  All but 6 countries
• What is the average urban population percentage in Africa?

  Almost 40%
• What are the three types of megacities?

  • Slow-growing
  • Growing
  • Rapid-growing
• What is the urban population percentage of slow-growing megacities?

  70% urban
• Do slow-growing megacities have squatter settlements?

  No squatter settlements
• Name three examples of slow-growing megacities.

  Tokyo, Moscow, Los Angeles
• What is the urban population percentage of growing megacities?

  40-50% urban
• What percentage of the population in growing megacities lives in squatter settlements?

  Under 20%
• Name four examples of growing megacities.

  Beijing, Rio, Shanghai, Mexico City
• What is the urban population percentage of rapid-growing megacities?

  Under 50% urban
• What is the definition of the informal economy?

  Money earned that people don't pay tax for
• What does natural increase refer to?

  Where the birth rate is higher than the death rate
• What are pull factors and give examples?

  Pull factors are attractions to the city, such as better education, healthcare, and jobs
• What are push factors and give examples?

  Push factors are reasons to leave the countryside, such as lack of education and jobs
• Define rural-to-urban migration.


  The movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities
• What is urbanisation?

  An increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas
• How can urban industrial areas stimulate economic development in Rio?

  • Service industries (finance and banking)
  • Port industries
  • Oil refining
  • Manufacturing
  • Tourism
  • Steelworks
  • Construction
  • Retail and distribution
• How has natural increase contributed to Rio's growth?

  In 2014, the population was 6.5 million in the city and 12.5 million in surrounding areas due to people moving in and having families
• How has migration affected Rio's population?

  Migrants come from other parts of Brazil and other countries for jobs and better lifestyles
• What social challenges has urban growth created in Rio?

  • Healthcare: services are not free, only 55% have a local family health clinic
  • Education: 25% of poorest kids don't go to school, many drop out
  • Water supply: 12% lack access to running water, 37% lost due to leaks
  • Energy: frequent blackouts, illegal electricity tapping
• What social opportunities has urban growth created in Rio?

  • Healthcare: 6 hospitals, easy access
  • Education: 90% of 10-year-olds can read and write, more schools
  • Water supply: largest water treatment works in the world
  • Energy: 3 times more access to electricity than in the countryside
• What environmental challenges has urban growth created in Rio?

  • Air pollution: 5000 deaths/year, brown smog
  • Waste disposal: hard for collection, waste dumped on roads
  • Water pollution: bay heavily polluted, raw sewage and industrial waste
  • Traffic congestion: steep mountains, increased cars, high crime
• What challenges does urban growth create in providing access to services in Rio?

  • Poor kids cannot afford school
  • Half drop out after age 14
  • Difficult access to hospitals due to poor roads
  • Expensive healthcare, few specialized doctors
• What challenges does urban growth create in providing clean water, sanitation systems, and energy in Rio?

  • Clean water: polluted water schemes
  • Sanitation: waste dumped on roads
  • Energy: common blackouts
• What challenges does urban growth create in reducing unemployment and crime in Rio?

  • Deep recession in 2015
  • Protests about high taxes and poor services
  • Contrast between rich and poor increases crime rates
  • Unemployment in favelas over 20%
• How is urban planning improving the quality of life for the urban poor in the Favela Bairro Project?

  • Economically: cable car system, access to credit, 100% mortgages
  • Environmentally: secured hillsides, relocation
  • Socially: paved roads, water supply, new facilities, police patrols
• What challenges does urban growth create in managing urban growth in Rio?

  • Slums and squatter settlements
  • Poorly constructed houses on steep slopes
  • Unemployment at 20%
  • Crime rate of 20/1000 people
  • Health issues: infant mortality at 50/1000
  • Services: 12% lack running water, over 30% lack electricity
• How many megacities were there in 2015?

  28 megacities
• How many megacities does the UN estimate there may be by 2050?

  50 megacities
• In which regions do around half the population live in towns and cities?

  South and South East Asia
• What percentage of the population in most of the world's richer countries lives in cities?

  Over 60%
• Is Rio classified as a LIC or a NEE?


  LIC (Low Income Country)
• What human geographical factors determine population distribution in the UK?

  • Agriculture: well-developed farming areas are densely populated
  • Secondary industry: manufacturing areas tend to be densely populated
  • Accessibility: well-developed transport links increase density
  • Political decisions: government policies impact population density
  • Conflict: wars can lead to population movements
• What physical factors determine population distribution in the UK?

  • Water supply
  • Climate
  • Relief (shape of the land)
  • Vegetation
  • Soils
  • Availability of natural resources and energy
• What are some reasons for urbanisation?

  • Higher paid jobs
  • More job opportunities
  • Better healthcare
  • Better facilities
  • Better lifestyle
  • Better education
  • More transport links
• What is a HIC?

  High Income Country
• What is a LIC?

  Low Income Country
• What is a megacity?


  A city with a population of over 10 million people
• What is a NEE?

  Newly Emerging Economy
• What is a world city?

  Important cities in terms of economic and cultural impacts