Chapter 15 Country and City: The Natural World and the Social World

Overview  Population  Demography  Theories on Population Growth  Population Problems  Urbanization  Patterns in urbanization  In-class exercise  The Environment

DEMOGRAPHY  Study of the size, composition, distribution and changes in human population  U.S. population  U.S. Census Bureau  312+ million in Nov  World population estimates  6.9+ billion in Nov  Population dynamics  Biological and social factors

DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES  Estimating Population Growth  Fertility Rates The average number of children a woman bears  Mortality Rates The average number of deaths per 1,000 people Infant Mortality –The average number of deaths per 1,000 live births  Life Expectancy The average age to which a person can expect to live –Life span or longevity  Migration Immigration and emigration –Movement from one geographic area to another for the purpose of resettling

Fertility Rates

Infant Mortality Rates

Life Expectancy

Global Migration

Population Change in the U.S.

The World Population Problem  Historical background  Population boom in Europe during Industrial Revolution (1800)  What accounts for this?  The Malthusian Theorem  Thomas Malthus – “The Principles of Population” Food production growth is additive –Other resources Population growth is exponential  The “Malthusian Trap”

Sociological Perspectives on Population Growth  Influences on population growth  Religious  Political/Economic  Cultural  Population control strategies  Family Planning

Was Malthus Right?  Debate among demographers  “Neo-Malthusians”  Believe population growth will eventually outpace available resources Leads to global catastrophe  Do statistics support or refute?

Was Malthus Right?  “Anti-Malthusians”  Believe that conclusions are faulty  Predict that population will peak and stabilize  Based on rationality, family planning, other changes  May even lead to population shrinkage  Believe that demographic transition will spread to developing world  From high to low birth/death rates

Which theory is correct?  Consider effect of new technologies on population  For example?  Potential for population booms or shrinkage  According to United Nations  #1 problem is worldwide population growth catastrophe

The American Population Problem  U.S. is 3 rd most populace in the world  Along with China and India  The American standard of living  Impact of the American Dream and consumerism  If our standards were adopted by all How many more planet Earths would we need to support the rest of the world?  Ecological Footprint Quiz  Estimate of resources needed for your consumption and waste

The American Population Problem  Ecological threat of Americans to the planet  Comprise approximately what % of world population? 6%  Consume approximately what % of world resources? 30%  Produce approximately what % of world waste? 50%  The impact of 1 American is equal to:  2 Japanese  6 Mexicans  13 Chinese  32 Indians  140 Bangladeshi  284 Tanzanians  372 Ethiopians

Next … Urbanization

 Urbanization  The movement of the masses to cities  The influence of cities on society  Cities  A place where a large number of people live on a permanent basis  Key to their origin is the development of efficient agriculture City dwellers do not produce their own food

 Metropolis  Urban area with large population 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents  Megalopolis or Megacity  A group of densely populated metropolises Eventually combine into huge urban complex The “Southland”  Global City  Megacities with global impact Centers of economic, political and social power

U.S. Urban Patterns  From country to city  In % lived in cities  In % lived in cities  In % lived in cities  From city to city  Migration From the “rust belt” to the “sun belt”  Fasting growing and shrinking cities

Urban Density in the U.S. (2009)  Population per square mile  U.S. average: 80 California average: 270  Urban density  Minneapolis: 1,800  Portland: 3,000  Los Angeles: 8,000  Philadelphia: 11,000  Chicago: 14,000  San Francisco: 16,000  Isla Vista: 18,000 (per ½ sq. mile)  New York City: 27,000 (Manhattan: 67,000)

Trends in Urbanization  Suburbanization  Shift toward edges of cities  Urban (white) flight  Movement of affluent classes to suburbs Leaves behind decaying cities  Same urban problems follow into suburbs  Suburban (or urban) sprawl  Poorly-planned development vs. smart growth  Urban Renewal  Efforts to rebuild decaying inner-cities  Gentrification  Transform neighborhoods into more affluent communities  The Rural Rebound  Increase in rural counties, usually adjacent to city

In-Class Exercise Word Search: Population and Urbanization