WORLD: URBAN ISSUES/CHALLENGES - PAPER 2 Flashcards
What are the push factors affecting urbanisation rate?
Poor harvests; shortage of food
Limited chance for well-paying jobs
Poor amenities; water, electricity, healthcare
Poor infrastructure; transport, education
Climate issues
What are the pull factors affecting urbanisation rate?
Better paying jobs
Large goods/service market
Better school, education
Better infrastructure and amenities
Why do cities have high rates of natural increase?
High rates of young people entering these urban areas for work and school
What are megacities?
A city inhabiting over 10 million people
28 in 2015, 40 expected by 2030
Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai: examples
What is Lagos’ regional importance?
Opportunities for work, recreation and employment
Large culture and art scene in Lagos
Transport hub; international airport, important docks
What is Lagos’ national importance?
80% of Nigeria’s industry located here
25% of Nigeria’s GDP
80% of imports + 70% of exports pass through here
Nigeria’s media centre, home of Nollywood
Home of many banks and financial centres
Contains many headquarters of TNCs
What is Lagos’ international importance?
Highest QoL in Nigeria and Africa
Apapa port, 5th busiest in West Africa
Host of many sporting events; AFCON
Hosts Lagos International Trade Fair
ICT centre of West Africa
What opportunities present themselves because of the growth?
Access to many services: better healthcare than the countryside, with public and private sectors
Education: Home to many universities and colleges (Yaba College of Tech)(Lagos Uni Teaching Hospital)
Water supply: Lagos Water corporation supplies over 12m people with clean water, plans to build several new treatment plants
Energy: better access to energy than the rest of the country, with areas often not providing lighting
Much of the country uses diesel generators, adding to air pollution
Economic development: on the mainland with good access to the port and other transport paths, providing opportunities for employment.
The Ikeja district has the main international airport, and attracts many industries
What challenges present themselves because of the growth?
Many homes are made from waste material, and 75% of homes only have a single room
50% lack either a kitchen, bath or toilet, and only 11% have piped, clean water
There are groups of these shack homes, called squatter settlements, located on unwanted land in areas
Makoko is the largest squatter settlement, located on Lagos Lagoon, although the government has begun demolishing the area to develop the area, although there has been much outcry from the resident
How is clean water, sanitation and energy in Lagos?
Water supply: many people dig boreholes to access water in the ground, and some buy water from street sellers
In 2012, the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission began regulating street vendors, and licensing boreholes, providing people with safe water
Energy: energy is a big issue here despite Nigeria’s vast oil reserves; many companies need back-up generators to maintain power
New stations are planned, with one using methane from Olusosun landfill site
Sanitation: Many people use pit latrines, where sewage drains into the soil; pouring into open drains and rivers
Lagos Lagoon is heavily polluted, and providing clean conditions is an major problem
How are services Lagos?
Health care: general healthcare isn’t always free long queues for doctors, vaccinations are a premium for children and there isn’t enough investment in the industry
Education: free education for children, but many of these children work for money to support their family
Most secondary schools are private, and there are few universities
Industries are being asked to create employment opportunities and creating new courses
How is unemployment and crime in Lagos?
Unemployment is below 10%, but with no benefits, people have to work in the illegal informal sector, or paying taxes in the legal formal sector
These informal sector jobs involve waste recycling, car washing, street selling, which are all underpaid and dangerous. Emp. Trust Funds were created in 2016, helping people become self-employed
Crime is high in Lagos, mainly drugs, theft and vandalism, along with assault, bribery and corruption
Gang wars occur between groups called ‘Area Boys’
Kidnapping is a major issue for foreigners, and cyber-fraud is an increasing problem in the community
How are some issues managed in the country?
Waste disposal: 10,000 tonnes produced daily, dumped in landfills like Olusosun, and many people work there informally to collect and sell materials
Pollution: 5x higher than the recommended limit (air), water pollution also an issue; domestic sewage and waste
Traffic congestion: introduced a bus transit system, transorting 20000 people to the CBD daily, along with danfo taxis that operate also
What is the Makoko Floating School?
Makoko Floating school - built in 2014 to provide school for 60 people and also a community centre
Also general plans to house people in the Lagos Lagoon using floating Houses
