why cities are growing rapidly in LICs/NEEs

• The UN predicts that by 2030 over 60% of the world's population will live in an urban environment
• Urbanisation


  People move from rural to urban areas as a country develops
• HICs saw the majority of their urbanisation before 1950
• Industrialisation in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries


  1. Occurred in most towns and cities throughout Europe and North America

  2. Many people migrated from rural to urban areas for jobs in the rapidly expanding industries
• Since the 1950s, LICs have seen rapid growth in urbanisation, particularly in South America, Asia and Africa
• Between the 1950s and 2000, urban population living in NEEs have doubled and LICs by 2021, developed countries saw growth slow by less than half
• Reasons for urbanisation in LICs

  • Mass rural-urban migration due to population growth and lack of resources in rural areas: Push factors
  • The lure of the city and the opportunities it represents, although many find informal employment and poor housing
  • Natural increase: As development occurs, health care improves; this reduces infant mortality and death rates, although birth rates tend to remain high
• Opportunities for urban growth in NEEs and LICs


  • The growth of urban industrial areas which increases further economic development
  • Industrial development increases job opportunities and higher wages
  • Increased market share through industries selling their goods overseas; this increases company profits and taxes paid to their country
  • Better access to services such as education, healthcare, and the internet
  • Access to resources such as clean water, sanitation and electricity
  • Improved living conditions with a safer environment through street lighting and policing