Challenges of an urbanizing World Flashcards
Urbanisation definition
The growth in the proportion of the population living in urban areas
Megacity
A megacity is a city of over 10 million people
Conurbation
When 2 cities grow so much they murge together E.g Tokyo and Yokohama
Primate city
A primate city in a country dominates its economic, financial and political systems. It may also have a much larger population then the next biggest city.
World city
A mega city with a disproportionate influence in the world (an urban primacy). E.g London’s importance is bigger then its size suggests.
What are the past and current trends in urbanisation?
Before, in the past, the majority of people lived in rural areas due to the fact that most of the work was in agriculture. However now because of development and rapid industrialisation the majority of higher paying jobs are in cities. Also because of many push and pull factors in migration is taking place.
Why is urbanisation happening fastest in emerging and developing countries.
Urbanisation is happening fastest in emerging countries because they still have lots of areas and people to develop.
They have high % of people living in rural areas and fewer in cities which still have room for spatial growth as the economy develops
What push and pull factors are there that encourage rural to urban migration?
Some pull factors that encourage rural to urban migration…
- cities have better healthcare and education services
- better housing
- better transport
- higher paying job opportunities
Some push factors that encourage rural to urban migration…
- poor access to education
- poor transport
- mostly jobs in low paying sectors (primary, agriculture)
What is natural increase?
The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths recorded over a period. In general the number o births is higher.
What is formal employment?
Officially recognised by the government…
- sick pay
- maternity leave/pay
- have to pay tax
- suitable working conditions
- must get minimum wage
- structured working hours
- contract
What is informal employment?
It’s neither taxed nor monitored by any form of governement…
- no contract
- don’t need to pay tax to the government
- cash in hand
- no laws on working conditions/hours
- no minimum wage.
State some push factors:
- shortage of jobs
- poor standard of living
- poor healthcare and education
- war/conflict
- natural disasters
- poor environment due to pollution or crime.
State some pull factors:
- More employment/ higher wages
- better standard of living
- better healthcare
- safe (little crime/natural disasters)
- a cleaner environment
Which type of employment is more important in cities in developed countries?
Formal employment is better in cities in developed countries as often informal work is done illegally, and also people do not have to pay tax on informal work so the countries economy wouldn’t developed as much.
Formal work also generally provides a much higher income to meet the needs of people living in the more developed areas.
What type of work is more important in cities in emerging/developing countries?
Informal employment is as important as formal employment in developing and emerging countries.
- It provides jobs for the majority of the population (even those who have little education or qualifications).
- Contributes largely to the GDP.
- Lack of formal jobs available because the country has not fully industrialised to provide enough.
- children may need to earn money to support and feed their family - informal employment gives them this opportunity.
