CUE: Processes Associated With Urbanisation

Question 1

What are some of the social processes associated with urbanisation?

Answer 1

• people from different social and cultural backgrounds, migrate into the city, increasing multi-culturalism and making cities more diverse
• cultural hubs, museums, galleries, theatres, shopping centres, healthcare, etc, increasing quality of life for those living in the city
• improves access to different jobs, education and healthcare, due to larger investments within cities
• wide range of jobs increases income.

Question 2

What are some of the economic processes associated with urbanisation?

Answer 2

• shifts in employment, from the primary sector (e.g. agricultural industry) to tertiary sector (e.g. financial industry jobs). Higher wage jobs leads to economic development in urban areas.
• larger populations means more people working and contributing to the economy, thus developing it
• urban growth leads to development of a range of businesses and industries that drive the economy.
• economic inequalities may arise due to unsustainable urbanisation - overpopulation and lack of resources can cause struggle for many - when cost of living is higher (e.g. the emergence of squatter settlements in the Brazilian favelas)

Question 3

What are some of the technological processes associated with urbanisation?

Answer 3

• urban areas often become centres for technological advancement, with many cities developing into technology capitals (e.g. Silicon Valley)
• new tech is often introduced into cities first as there is higher demand for it

Question 4

What are some of the political processes associated with urbanisation?

Answer 4

• central political institutions are almost always in the capital, making these urban areas the focus of political activities
• political movements are usually more prevalent in cities

Question 5

What are some demographic processes associated with urbanisation?

Answer 5

• cities host a a lot of cultural diversity
• usually predominantly young adults, as many move to urban areas for education, better social life and employment opportunities
• older people tend to move away from cities to the suburbs to have a better quality of life