Key Points

• What is urbanisation?

  The increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas, often due to industrialisation, economic development, and rural-urban migration.
• What causes urban growth?

  Urban growth is driven by natural population increase, migration (especially rural to urban), and reclassification of rural areas as urban.
• What are urban forms?

  Urban forms refer to the physical structure and layout of cities, shaped by factors like transport, planning, and historical development. Examples include grid patterns, concentric zones, and edge cities.
• What are the key processes of urbanisation?

  • Suburbanisation
  • Counter-urbanisation
  • Re-urbanisationThese involve movement to suburbs, rural areas, and revitalisation of inner cities, respectively.
• What is suburbanisation?

  The process by which people, businesses, and services move from central urban areas to the outskirts, leading to suburban growth.
• What is counter-urbanisation?

  The movement of people and businesses from urban areas to rural or smaller towns, often for lifestyle reasons or lower housing costs.
• What is re-urbanisation?

  The movement of people back into urban areas, often as part of regeneration projects aiming to revitalise cities after periods of decline.
• What defines a megacity?

  A megacity is an urban area with a population of over 10 million people. Examples include Tokyo, New York, and Mumbai.
• What are some key urban issues in developed cities?

  • Housing shortages
  • Transport congestion
  • Social inequality
  • Environmental degradation
• What are some urban challenges in developing countries?

  • Informal settlements (slums)
  • Poor infrastructure
  • High levels of pollution
  • Inadequate access to services like healthcare and education
• What is an urban microclimate?

  Urban areas often have different climatic conditions compared to rural areas due to the urban heat island effect, pollution, and altered surface albedo.
• What is the urban heat island effect?

  UHI is the phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than their rural surroundings, caused by factors like heat-absorbing materials (concrete, asphalt), reduced vegetation, and human activities.
• What is sustainable urban development?

  Creating cities that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially inclusive. It aims to meet current urban needs without compromising future generations.
• What are Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)?

  SuDS are drainage systems designed to reduce flood risk and manage urban water runoff in an environmentally friendly way. They include permeable pavements, green roofs, and retention ponds.
• What are some methods of urban waste management?

  • Recycling
  • Incineration
  • Landfill
  • Waste-to-energy schemes
• What is urban regeneration?

  Urban regeneration is the investment in urban areas to improve physical, economic, and social conditions, often following periods of decline or deindustrialisation.
• What is the ecological footprint of a city?

  The measure of how much land and resources a city requires to sustain its population and economic activities, including waste and pollution.
• What is a smart city?

  A smart city uses technology and data to improve the efficiency of urban services, enhance sustainability, and increase the quality of life for residents.