6.2. Urban trends and issues of urbanisation

Question 1

Urban Revolution

Answer 1

Major change in the form and growth of settlements due to significant technological advance

Question 2

Urbanisation

Answer 2

Process whereby an increasing proportion of the population in a geographical area lives in urban settlements

Question 3

Urban Growth

Answer 3

The absolute increase in physical size and total population of urban areas

Question 4

Current patterns of urbanisation

Answer 4

• Most urbanised world regions are North America, Europe, Oceania and Latin America
• Lowest levels of urbanisation are in Africa and Asia
• Urban growth is highest in Africa and Asia (as they have the fastest growing urban areas)

Question 5

Cycle of Urbanisation

Answer 5

Comprises the stages of urban change:

1) Urbanisation
2) Suburbanisation
3) Counterurbanisation
4) Reurbanisation

Question 6

Suburbanisation

Answer 6

The outward growth of towns and cities to engulf surrounding villages and rural areas

Question 7

Suburbanisation in Britain

Answer 7

The reasons for rapid suburban growth were:

• Construction of suburban railway lines (main factor in this development)
• Government support for house building
• Willingness of local authorities to provide piped water, sewerage systems, gas and electricity
• Expansion of building societies
• Low interest rates
• Development of public transport routes
• Improvement to the road network

Question 8

Counterurbanisation

Answer 8

The process of population decentralisation as people move from large urban areas to smaller urban settlements and rural areas

Question 9

Reurbanisation

Answer 9

Occurs when, after a clear period of decline, the population of a city, in particular the inner area, begins to increase again

Question 10

Issues of Urbanisation

Answer 10

1) Competition for land - price of land and cost of rents
2) Renewal and redevelopment
3) Gentrification

Question 11

Land use zoning

Answer 11

A mapping exercise by local government which decides how land should be used in the various parts of a town or city. (to remove land competition)

Question 12

Urban Redevelopment

Answer 12

Involves complete clearance of existing buildings and site infrastructure and construction of new buildings

Question 13

Urban Renewal

Answer 13

The process where an urban neighborhood or area is improved and rehabilitated. The renewal process can include demolishing old or run-down buildings, constructing new, up-to-date housing, or adding in features like a theater or stadium.

Question 14

Gentrification

Answer 14

A process in which wealthier people move into, renovate and restore run-down housing in an inner city or other neglected area. Such housing was formerly inhabited by low-income groups

Question 15

Reasons for clusters of high socio-economic status in the inner city

Answer 15

1) Some areas have always been fashionable

2) Gentrification of areas to become more fashionable

Question 16

Evidence of gentrification

Answer 16

• Many houses being renovated
• House prices rising faster than in comparable areas
• ‘Trendier’ shops and restaurants opening in the area

Question 17

Accessibility

Answer 17

Relative ease with which a place can be reached from other locations

Question 18

Global (world) city

Answer 18

A city that is judged to be an important nodal point in the global economic system

Question 19

Reasons for growth of global cities

Answer 19

1) Demographic trends - significant rates of natural increase and in-migration at different times
2) Economic development - Emergence of major manufacturing and services in national space, along with development of key transport in global trading system
3) Cultural / social status - Cultural facilities of large cities are an important element of their attraction to foreign direct investment and tourism
4) Political importance - many global cities are capital cities, benefiting from high levels of investment in infrastructure