Strand 1 Notes: Urbanisation Flashcards
(14 cards)
Define urbanisation
Urbanisation is the growth in the proportion of a country living in an urban areas.
Key patterns: contemporary urbanisation trends incl. rapid urban growth, increased urban sprawl & rise of mega cities. Urbanisation occurring at an unprecedented rate in 21st century.
Causes of urbanisation
1) Natural growth:
The difference between birth & death rate. Urban areas tend to have a higher % of younger people. They’re most fertile in population.
2) Rural - urban population:
The movement of people from the countryside to the city. Push factors- overcrowded in urban rural as ‘isolated’. Or poor health care with less opportunities in cities. Pull factors- Job opportunities, more education in urban areas. More access to healthcare.
Define Megacity
An area with an excess of 10 million people.
Key characteristics: mega cities include population, large surface areas, & extensive transport systems. Eg Tokyo or Lagos or Mumbai & the Dharavi slum. (Slum environment is informal & often illegal, unsafe & unhealthy homes.) * in 2013 the number of people living in slums had been at around 863 million) Most mega cities are found along coastlines at the centre of trade.
Urban expansion
Increase in size or geographical footprint of a city/town.
Define Urban Growth
An increase in total population/economy of a town or city. (Land area, population or intensive land use.)
Define World City
Cities which are seen to have an important role in the global economic system.
Key characteristics: this consists of large, densely populated territories, control the trade & economy of a large surrounding area, and have key manufacturing centres. Global cities are centres for politics, culture, media & tourism. Eg: New York or London.
Consequences of urban growth
1) urban sprawl: spread of an urban area into the surrounding countryside. Requires more roads/infrastructure & more commuting. Contributes to loss of farmland.
2) shortage of housing in LICs: high population density, in urban areas - shortage in accommodation, leading to presence of inadequate housing.
3) shortage of affordable housing in LICs: in Uk, rising demand for accommodation has lead to dramatic increases in house prices & rental costs.
4) Lack of services: Financial restraints in LIC countries means lack of basic services (water/ electricity).
5) unemployment/ underemployment: so many young people = pressure to create jobs, many migrants find informal employment work that doesn’t make full use of someone’s skills & abilities.
Original & suburban village characteristics
Housing - original village: stone built with slate/thatch roof, some farms, most over 100yrs old. Distinctive architecture. Suburban village: New, mainly detached housing on small estates, renovated & gentrified cottages.
Inhabitants - original village: small, close-knit community. Suburban village: local community may be swamped, village deserted. Barn conversions & double garages.
Transport - original village: rural bus service, narrow winding road network, limited cars. Suburban village: declining bus service as most new families have 2 cars, improved roads, but some congestion.
Services - original village: village shop, small junior school, pub, village hall, butchers, bakery. Suburban village: closure of basic shops, people have cars so can travel further to supermarkets.
Environmental - original village: quiet, relatively pollution free, village green & open spaces. Suburban village: more noise & pollution, loss of open space/ farmland.
Nottinghill
Located in the borough of the river Thames is the north of the river & central in the country of Cambridgeshire. In 1958, August, a series of race riots broke out in the area with nightly clashes between blacks & whites.
Islington
Location: to the north of the river Thames, beside the city of central London.
Process of gentrification: in 1960s, Islington moved into a phase of ‘super- gentrification’ with middle earners being pushed out. Nottinghill’s process of gentrification was reflected by how well its shops attracted attention of people. Gentrification is done by the people how well its shops attracted attention of people. Gentrification is done by the people who work there & urban resurgence is done by buisnesses coming in/ communities coming in.
Mechanisation
Most firms can produce their goods more cheaply by using machines rather than people.
Decentralisation
As inner-city areas declined; new investment went to edge of the cities.
Impacts of de-industrialisation & decentralisation
Economic: loss of tax leads to decline of services. Decline in maintenance of local housing caused by lower incomes. Increase in unemployment.
Social: increased levels of crime & family breakdown. Loss of jobs- disposable income. Increased levels of deprivation.
Environmental: derelict land & buildings. Deteriorating infrastructure. Increase in noise, land & water pollution & traffic congestion.
Urban policy
Strategies used by local or national government to develop urban areas & reduce urban issues.
