contemporary urban environments

• How many people live in urban areas in 1950 and 2014?

  In 1950, 30% lived in urban areas and in 2014, 50% lived in urban areas.
• What increased urbanisation?

  The Industrial Revolution.
• What is happening in the developing world?

  More people are moving from rural areas to urban areas.
• What is urbanisation?

  The proportion of people living in urban areas.
• What factors exacerbate urbanisation?

  Rural-urban migration and natural increase.
• What is suburbanisation?

  The migration of people from city centres to outskirts.
• What allows people to live in the suburbs?

  Improvements in transport links means people can commute to work.
• What can suburbanisation lead to?

  Wealthier people can afford to move out leading to economic social segregation.
• What is counter-urbanisation?

  The movement of people out of the city into surrounding villages and rural areas.
• What is urban resurgence?

  The movement of people back into the city centre.
• What is a megacity?

  An urban area with over 10 million people living there.
• How many megacities were there in 1950 and 2014?

  In 1950 there were 2 and in 2014 there were 28.
• How many megacities are there predicted to be by 2030?

  41
• Why do megacities dominate the national and regional economies of countries?

  Companies choose to locate headquarters in cities with good transport links and lots of skilled workers.
• What is a world city?

  A city that has political and financial influence over the whole world.
• What do world cities often dominate?

  International trade and emerging economies.