Characteristics and causes of urbanisation

Urbanisation Definition “Urbanisation is a process of urban growth which leads to a greater proportion of people being concentrated into towns and cities”

Urbanisation In 2008 – for the first time in history over 50% of the world’s population lived in towns and cities. Urbanisation – results in an increasing proportion of city dwellers in contrast to those in the countryside Urbanisation is a worldwide process – it began at different times in different parts of the world and occurred at contrasting paces.

Causes of urbanisation Rural to urban migration Natural Increase

Rural – urban migration Rural to urban migration – result of push and pull factors

Push and pull factors Push factors Pull factors Difficult/harsh climate – eg. droughts Chance of a better life Struggle to provide food for family Better housing and amenities Very low income Chance of good jobs – higher wages Only able to own small plots of land Children able to go to school Can’t afford to fertilizers to increase yields Better medical/health care

Natural increase The people that migrate into towns and cities tend to be young resulting in high levels of natural increase high % of young adults = high levels of births Falling death rates due to improved medical care means more babies are born than people dying, further increasing the urban population

% urban population

THE WORLDS LARGEST CITIES

TASK 1 What are the 10 most populated cities in the World (bullet points).

TASK 2 Devise your own key and divide the cities on the work sheet into: North America South America Europe Africa Asia

NUMBER 10 SHANGHAI 12.7

NUMBER 9 Jakarta 13.2

NUMBER 8 Buenos Aires 13.3

NUMBER 7 Kolkata 14.3

NUMBER 6 DELHI 15.3

NUMBER 5 Mumbai 18.0

NUMBER 4 NEW YORK 18.1

NUMBER 3 SAO PAULO 18.3

NUMBER 2 MEXICO CITY 19.0

NUMBER 1

NUMBER 1 TOKYO 35.3

Exam-Style Questions...... Answer the following questions in your exercise books: Define the term “Urbanisation” . (1 ) Suggest reasons for rural-urban migration in LEDC’s (2) other than rural-urban migration, give two further causes of urbanisation. (2) Draw a labelled “Push & Pull” diagram for a typical urban area. (4) Describe & Explain the possible environmental effects of Urban Sprawl. (6) If you are unsure on any of the key terms mentioned, such as “Urban Sprawl”, head over to www.Geographybase.co.uk and Ask a Geographer! Total for Questions= (15 Marks)