Urbanisation

 Urbanisation is defined as the process by which an increasing proportion of the total population lives in towns and cities. One estimate suggests that in 1800 only 3% of world’s population were urban dwellers this increased to 48% in 1998 and is estimated to rise to 60% by 2025.

Rapid Urbanisation occurred twice in history:  In economically more developed countries (EMDCs), industrial development led to a demand for labour in mining and manufacturing centres. In this regard urbanisation was as a result of economic development.  Since the 1950’s, in economically less developed countries (ELDCs) migration from rural areas and the high rate of natural increase have resulted in the uncontrolled growth of many cities. In this regard urbanisation is as a result of population growth not economic development.

GLOBAL TRENDS OF URBAN POPULATION RegionPercentage Urbanisation (%)Urban Growth Rate (%) World More Developed Countries Less Developed Countries North America Europe Oceania Latin America & Caribbean Africa Asia

Trends and Patterns of Urbanisation  Level/ degree of urbanisation – proportion of or percent of a country’s population living in an urban area.  Urban Growth Rate – average annual rate at which the population residing in urban area is growing.

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised, since the 1950’s the level and growth is unprecedented. In 1950 the urban population increased from 73.4 million to 1.5 billion in 1975 (an increase from 30% to 38%) of the proportion of people living in urban areas. By 2000, 2.9 million (47%) is expected to increase to 4.9 billion (60%) in the average annual growth was estimated to be 2.7% between 1950 and 2000; however it is expected to decline to 1.8% between 2000 and 2030

MORE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  The process of urbanisation is advanced – 76% of the population reside in cities and is expected to increase to 84% by 2030 (i.e. North America, Europe and Oceania)  The level of urbanisation is high, but growth rate is low between 1950 and 2000 (1.4%) and is expected to decline to 0.4% between 2000 and 2030.

These changes are attributed to a decrease in natural increase and rural – urban migration. For example, in Germany there is 0% to negative % growth as fewer children are born. In many developed countries there is little/ no distinction between rural and urban areas.

LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  The level of urbanisation is lower only 4% of the population reside in urban areas; this is expected to increase in 56% in 2030 (which developed countries attained in 1950).  The urban growth rate is higher; annual growth rate of 3.7% between 1950 and 2000 which expected to decline by 2.3% between 2000 and 2030.

Causes of Urbanization  Natural Increase- Towns like other areas of the country, grow in population as the people who live in them have Children. The Kingston- St. Andrew area in jamaica had 27.5% of Jamaica’s population and grew by 10.8% from  In- Migration- Kingston is also gaining population by people moving into the city from the rural areas. Between 1982 and 2001 it grew by 8.7% Portmore which is in close proximity to kingston continues to grow rapidly due to the development of commercial entities.

Causes of Urbanization Cont’d Reclassification- rural villages that have expanded rapidly to become towns are reclassified as urban areas. In such cases long-standing residents who were classed as rural dwellers become urban dwellers because their settlements have expanded in size.

Causes of Urbanization Cont’d O Social Amenities- Town provides chances of a better education ( since the best schools cann be found there), improved healthcare facilities and recreation in the form of cinemas, race courses and playing fields. O Towns offer a wider range of job opportunities.

 The Caribbean region is not only the most urbanised of the developing countries, but of the world. For example, in 1960’s 38% of the Caribbean people reside in urban areas, while 34% of world’s population. In the 1990’s this figures increased to 59% and 46% respectively for Caribbean. In 2000, 65% of Caribbean was urbanised, while it was 51% of world population was urbanised. It is expected that by 2025 this will increase to 75%.

 It is, however important to note that the levels of urbanised varied among Caribbean countries.  The following countries are considered to have high levels of urbanisation, as they have over 67% of the population in town and cities: The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and US Virgin Islands.  The following countries have moderate levels of urbanisation: Barbados, Guadeloupe, St. Christopher and Nevis and St. Lucia.  The following countries have low levels of urbanisation: Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Montserrat and St. Vincent.

Urban Growth in the Caribbean O The Caribbean region has a relatively high urban growth rate of 2.14% per annum between 1995 and O The following countries have high urban growth rate of 2.8%: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. O The following countries have low urban growth rates: Cayman Islands, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago

O It is important to note that countries with high levels of urbanisation have low growth rates and countries with low levels of urbanisation have high growth rate. This implies that a possible slowing down of urban growth is taking place in countries with high levels of urbanisation.

Urban unemployment- Many persons who move into the city face unemployment due to lack of job opportunities. Overcrowding which leads to the development of slums and ghettoes. Crime and violence Spread of diseases due to unsanitary living conditions. Poor sewage disposal systems. Urban Sprawl- As towns get bigger people move into agricultural lands. Traffic congestion Pollution.

Theoretical Perspectives on Urbanisation Concentric Zone Model O It was developed by Ernest Burgess in 1924 O Known as one of the earliest theoretical model to explain urban social structure. O According to Burgess the city develops in rings with the CBD in the centre. O This model was applied to Chicago.

Concentric Zone Model Cont’d  He assumed that new migrants to a city move into inner city areas because they were the cheapest type of housing and were closest to the sources of employment.  With time, residents move out of the inner city as they become wealthier. This was often the second generation migrants.  In his model, housing quality and social class increased with distance from the city centre.

Concentric Zone Model Cont’d  Land in the centre is dominated by commercial land uses (they can afford the high prices of the city centre and need highly accessible cites).  Beyond the central business district is a manufacturing zone, also containing high density, low quality housing to accommodate the workers.  The paradox of the poorest being located on expensive land is due to their need to be close to the sources of employment. Landlords achieve their profits by cramming as many tenants as they could in these zones. O In contrast, wealthier people are located on the outer areas, in lower density housing, where they are able to commute to work. (Nagle, 2001)

O Key Zones of the Model the zones identified are: 1. The center was the CBD 2. The transition zone of mixed residential and commercial uses 3. Working class residential homes (inner suburbs), in later decades called inner cityresidentialinner city 4. Better quality middle-class homes (Outer Suburbs)

Criticisms of the Model First, the model does not work well with cities outside the United States, in particular with those developed under different historical contexts. Even in the United States, because of changes such as advancement in transportation and information technology and transformation in global economy, cities are no longer organized with clear "zones."

Hoyt’s Sector Model O Hoyt’s Sector Model  Land use model proposed by economist Homer Hoyt in  He emphasised the importance of transportation routes and the incompatibility of certain land uses.  Recognizing that the various transportation routes into an urban area, including railroads, sea ports, and tram lines, represented greater access, Hoyt theorized that cities tended to grow in wedge- shaped patterns -- or sectors -- emanating from the central business district and centered on major transportation routes.tramcentral business district

Hoyt’s Sector Model Cont’d O Residential functions would grow in wedge- shaped patterns with a sector of low-income housing bordering manufacturing/industrial sectors (traffic, noise, and pollution makes these areas the least desirable) while sectors of middle- and high-income households were located furthest away from these functions. Hoyt's model attempts to state a broad principle of urban organizationlow-income housing

O Lloyd Best, a Trinidadian linked unplanned urbanisation to Caribbean dependency.  He argued that massive drift out of the rural areas meant that such areas become ‘hinterlands’ for further underdeveopment and poverty.  Neglect of rural areas lead to a decline of agricultural production. O This would catapult the region into being satellites

Controlling Urbanisation in the Caribbean O Decentralisation: this encourages development away from capital cities. O Land zoning laws: In a number of large cities a green belt policy has been adopted to protect farmed areas at the edge of cities from development. Green Belts: O Limit Urban sprawl O Provide recreational opportunities for the urban population O Prevent loss of farmland O Protect wildlife.

Revision Questions 1. Explain Reclassification as a cause for urbanisation? 2. What is urban sprawl? 3. Name two central business districts in Jamaica. 4. Give one example of the zone of transition in Jamaica. 5. In what year was Homer Hoyt’s model constructed? 6. According to Homer how does urbanisation develop in cities? 7. How different is the land use model from the CBD?