1. Urban issues and challenges - KO Paper 2: Question 1
Terms
Brownfield
Urban sites for potential building development that have had previous development on them.
Central business district (CBD)
It contains the main shops, offices and financial institutions of the urban area.
Deprivation
Standard of living below that involves hardships and lack of access to resources.
Derelict
In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.
Economic
Relating to economics or the economy (the state of a country’s money, goods and services).
Environmental
Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.
Greenfield
Previously undeveloped sites for commercial development.
Gross domestic product (GDP)
The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.
High income country (HIC)
A country with a gross national income per capita above US$12,000.
Immigration
The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.
Inequality
Difference in size, degree, circumstances, etc.; lack of equality.
Life expectancy
The average number of years that a person may expect to live.
Low income country (LIC)
Countries with per capita incomes below $400.
Megacity
A very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people.
Migration
The movement of people from one place to another.
Natural increase
The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths during the year.
Newly emerging economy (NEE)
A country whose economy is progressing toward becoming advanced.
Pull factor
Factors which attract people to migrate.
Push factor
Factors which discourage people from staying in an area.
Regeneration
To improve a place or system, especially by making it more active or successful.
Rural-urban migration
Movement from countryside to city.
Sanitation
The provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.
Social
Relating to society (people) or its organisation.
Sustainability
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Trade
The action of buying and selling goods and services.
Urbanisation
The increase in the percentage of people living in urban areas.
Urban greening
Refers to public landscaping/creating more green and park space.
Key content
Urban growth
Urbanisation
Urbanisation is happening more rapidly in developing world.
Urbanisation happens because of rural-urban migration and natural increase.
Megacities
There are currently 34 megacities (2/3s in LICs and NEEs). More in Africa and Asia by 2030.
Urban growth challenges NEE
Lagos, Nigeria
Location & importance
South coast Nigeria, Africa. Former capital city, 21 million people, financial centre of West Africa.
Causes of growth
275,000 migrants each year due to rural-urban migration, natural increase.
Opportunities
Healthcare, 68% attend secondary school, electricity, water treatment plants. Jobs e.g. construction, two ports, ‘Nollywood’ film and music industry.
Challenges
60% live in slums e.g. Makoko: flimsy huts on stilts in water, 1 primary school, 1 toilet per 15 houses, water over 3km away, high crime. Only 40% waste collected, air & water pollution not controlled, 2 hour commutes.
Informal economy – scavenging on Olusosun dump.
Planning for urban poor
Makoko floating school – capacity 60 children, also community centre. Environmentally sustainable design and will withstand sea level rise. Bus rapid transit – reduce commuting times.
Urban change UK
UK Cities
Uneven distribution. Upland; low density. Lowland and coastal; high density.
London, UK
Importance
UK capital, world city, financial centre of world, SE England.
Character
Ethnically diverse population, over 8.6m people, young population.
Economic – jobs e.g. Silicon roundabout, Shoreditch.
Environmental – urban greening; Hyde park.
Social – Cultural mix.
Economic – house prices too high.
Environmental – greenbelt land used for new homes & pollution.
Social – inequality; Kensington & Newham
Regeneration – London Olympics
Newham (East London)
Sustainable urban living
Curitiba, Brazil
Parana state.
Green exchange, urban parks, bus rapid transit system.
Transport
Increasing public transport use, reducing the flow of traffic into a city. London – Boris Bikes, cleaner buses, congestion charging.