urban futures

• What is urbanisation?

  Growth in population living in urban areas
• What percentage of the world's population currently lives in urban areas?


  More than 50%
• How does the rate of urbanisation differ between richer and poorer countries?

  Richer countries have slower urbanisation rates
• What are advanced countries (ACs)?

  Economically developed countries like the UK
• When did urbanisation happen earlier in advanced countries?

  During the Industrial Revolution
• What is the trend of urban growth in advanced countries?

  Very slow rates with some moving to rural areas
• Why can people in advanced countries live in rural areas and commute?

  Good transport and communication networks
• What are low-income developing countries (LIDCs)?

  Less economically developed countries like Ethiopia
• What is the urban population trend in LIDCs?


  Not many currently live in urban areas
• What are emerging and developing countries (EDCs)?

  Countries with rapid economic development
• Which EDCs are experiencing rapid urban growth?

  Brazil, China, Russia, India
• What is a megacity?

  An urban area with over 10 million people
• What is rural-urban migration?

  Movement from rural areas to urban areas
• What are push factors in rural-urban migration?

  Conditions that drive people away from rural areas
• What natural disasters can push people to migrate?

  Floods and earthquakes
• How does mechanisation of agriculture affect rural-urban migration?

  It reduces the need for farm workers
• What impact does drought have on rural populations?

  It makes it impossible to support families
• How can conflict or war influence migration?

  It can cause people to flee their homes
• What is natural increase in urbanisation?

  Population growth due to higher birth rates
• Why is the birth rate higher in urban areas?

  People migrate to cities for work opportunities
• How does better healthcare in urban areas affect death rates?

  It reduces the death rate
• What are the opportunities offered by cities that attract people?

  • Economic development
  • Social development
  • Employment opportunities
  • Access to services and amenities
• What are the causes of urbanisation in LIDCs?

  • Rural-urban migration
  • Natural increase
  • Push factors (e.g., disasters, mechanisation)
  • Pull factors (e.g., job opportunities)
• What are the characteristics of megacities?

  • Urban areas with over 10 million people
  • Can be single cities or conurbations
• What percentage of people in low-income developing countries currently live in urban areas?

  More than 50%
• Which countries are experiencing the fastest rates of urbanisation?

  EDCs like Thailand, Mexico, and China
• What does EDC stand for?

  Emerging and Developing Countries
• What are push factors in urbanisation?

  Reasons that encourage people to leave an area
• What is a megacity?

  An urban area with over 10 million people
• How many megacities were there in 2014?

  28 megacities
• What is a world city?

  A city that influences the whole world
• How has the number of megacities changed from 1950 to 2030?

  Increased from 2 to 41 megacities
• What is the birth rate trend in urban areas?

  Higher birth rates due to young migrants
• What are some consequences of rapid urbanisation in LIDCs?

  High unemployment and inadequate housing
• What are the economic consequences of rapid urbanisation?

  High unemployment and informal sector jobs
• What are social consequences of rapid urbanisation?

  Overcrowded squatter settlements and poor health
• What environmental issues arise from rapid urban growth?

  Inadequate waste disposal and pollution
• What is suburbanisation?

  Movement from city centres to outskirts
• What are some push factors for suburbanisation?

  Overcrowding and pollution in urban areas
• What are pull factors for suburbanisation?

  More open spaces and cheaper rents