1. What is urbanisation?
The increasing growth of cities like Manchester and Rio de Janeiro as people move from rural (countryside) areas.
Opportunities created by urban growth
Employment: in the formal (paying tax) or informal economy e.g. selling on the beach. Massive tourist industry creates jobs. Trans National Corporations (TNCs) e.g. Jaguar Landrover are building factories which create thousands of jobs in the port area of Rio.
Healthcare: scheme developed so that nurses visit the favelas, improving access to medical care. Infant mortality is 6.2/1000 now compared to 18/1000 in the rest of Brazil.
Electricity: Simplico Hydroelectic station supplies 30% more energy to the city. More of the poorer areas are now connected to a safe and reliable supply, reducing illegal connections and fires.
Megacities are cities with over 10 million people living in them e.g. Rio de Janeiro
Challenges created by urban growth
Crime: high levels of gang / drug crime in Rio may discourage tourists from visiting which will affect the economy
Services: demand for homes / schools / medical care is increasing putting a strain on the country’s economy, people’s health etc..
Distribution Increasing number of megacities in LIC and NEE countries e.g. India and Brazil. Highest % urban is in HIC countries in northern hemisphere e.g. western Europe and North America at 75 – 100% urbanisation. Lowest is in central Africa with 0-25%
Self Help Scheme e.g. Rocinha Bairro Project (Slum to Neighbourhood)
Council builds basic homes with water and electricity and offers a loan to people to help buy one.
Complexo do Alemao Cable Car links the favela to central Rio improving access to jobs / education. Residents given free two return ticket.
Push & Pull factors are the reasons why people are leaving rural areas and moving to cities. This is causing rapid urbanisation in LICs and NEEs
Case Study: Bristol A city in the UK which is a HIC (High Income Country)
Opportunities
Challenges
Social – Bristol Arena in the Templegate Regeneration quarter provides sports, music, events venue for the city
Economic – Brunels Engine Shed redeveloped into high tech base for new companies
Environmental – urban greening project to create green walk / cycle routes into the city
Social – There are huge differences in educational achievement between the poorer (Filwood) and wealthier (Stoke Bishop) areas of the city
Economic – Declining manufacturing industry has left many people unemployed.
Environmental – urban sprawl created by building more homes has reduced the amount of green open space and loss of habitats
Natural increase (when the birth rate is higher than the death rate) is also causing rapid urbanisation in LICs and NEEs. In HICs lower birth rates and death rates means that growth is slower.
Case Study: Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s second largest city. It’s urban population is growing quickly. There are huge differences (inequalities) between rich and poor. Poorest people live in favelas in homes they have made from scrap materials. Some don’t have clean water, toilets or electricity. Access to jobs, schools and medical care is difficult.
Urban Regeneration Temple Quarter has been regenerated (improved) sustainably (in a way to protect jobs & environment for the future) e.g. derelict buildings / brownfield land has been re-used rather than greenfield to stop urban sprawl and the loss of habitats. Homes have been made energy efficient to cut use of gas / electricity and water and to reduce bills for people.
Brazil is a NEE country which means Newly Emerging Economy

2. What is urbanisation?
The increasing growth of cities like Manchester and Rio de Janeiro as people move from rural (countryside) areas.
Opportunities created by urban growth
Employment: Massive tourist industry creates jobs. Trans National Corporations (TNCs) e.g. Jaguar Landrover are building factories which create thousands of jobs
Healthcare: scheme developed so that nurses visit the favelas, improving access to medical care.
Electricity: Simplico Hydroelectic station supplies 30% more energy to the city
Megacities are cities with over 10 million people living in them e.g. Rio de Janeiro
Challenges created by urban growth
Crime: high levels of gang / drug crime in Rio may stop tourists from visiting which will affect the economy
Services: demand for homes / schools / medical care is increasing putting a strain on the country’s economy, people’s health etc..
Distribution Increasing number of megacities in LIC and NEE countries e.g. India and Brazil.
Self Help Scheme e.g. Rocinha Bairro Project (Slum to Neighbourhood)
Council builds basic homes with water and electricity and offers a loan to people to help buy one.
Complexo do Alemao Cable Car links the favela to central Rio improving access to jobs / education. Residents given free two return ticket.
Push & Pull factors are the reasons why people are leaving rural areas and moving to cities.
Case Study: Bristol A city in the UK which is a HIC (High Income Country)
Opportunities
Challenges
Social – Bristol Arena provides sports, music, events venue for the city
Economic – Brunels Engine Shed redeveloped into high tech base for new companies
Environmental – urban greening project to create green walk / cycle routes into the city
Social – There are huge differences in GCSE results between the poorer (and wealthier areas of the city
Economic – High unemployment
Environmental – urban sprawl created by building more homes has reduced the amount of green open space and loss of habitats
Natural increase (when the birth rate is higher than the death rate) is also causing rapid urbanisation in LICs and NEEs.
Case Study: Rio de Janeiro
Brazil’s second largest city
urban population is growing quickly
huge differences (inequalities) between rich and poor
poorest people live in favelas in homes they have made from scrap materials
don’t have clean water, toilets or electricity
Urban Regeneration
Temple Quarter has been regenerated (improved) sustainably (in a way to protect jobs & environment for the future) e.g. derelict buildings / brownfield land has been re-used. Homes have been made energy efficient.
Brazil is a NEE country which means Newly Emerging Economy