urban issues and challenges

• push factors for rural migration


  • avoid traffic congestion and pollution
  • quieter lifestyle
  • affordable houses
  • greener spaces
• pull factors for urban migration

  • education
  • job opportunities
• what is urban greening

  the process of encouraging more vegetation and green space amongst the city
• what is greenfield land?

  Land that hasn't been built on before, often used for farming or left naturally
• what is brownfield land?

  • land that has previously been built on. The building may still be standing or demolished.
• Advantages of greenfield land

  • no additional costs to remove waste
  • cheaper land
  • source of income for struggling farmers
• advantages of brownfield land

  • using land rather than leaving it derelict
  • close to city centre - can charge more for houses being built
• disadvantages of greenfield land

  • land will never been greenfield again
  • city can grow uncontrollably
  • habitats destroyed
• disadvantages of brownfield land

  • expensive to remove waste
  • housing tends to be unaffordable
• What is a megacities

  cities with population over 10 million
• 5 issues with growing cities:

  • health care and education
  • squatter settlements
  • unemployment
  • air pollution
  • waster sewage
• why is air pollution a problem in growing cities?

  • traffic congestion
  • more factories/warehouses
  • impact health - lung disease/asthma
• why is unemployment an issue in growing cities?

  • few jobs for unskilled rural workers
  • informal work: cleaners, street sellers, etc.
• what are squatter settlements issues in growing cities?

  • limited affordable housing
  • must settle for makeshift housing on the outskirts of the city
• why is health care and education an issue in growing cities?

  • high demand for doctors and dentists
  • not enough facilities
  • poorer families children may work for money and not attend school
• why is waste and sewage an issue in growing cities?

  • high population leads to high waste problems
  • roads too narrow on squatter settlements for rubbish bins
  • sewage dumped close to homes