Urbanisation 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

1. Rural to urban migration2. 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:

1. Define the term “Urbanisation” . (1 )2. Suggest reasons for rural-urban migration in LEDC’s (2)3. other than rural-urban migration, give two further causes of

urbanisation. (2)4. Draw a labelled “Push & Pull” diagram for a typical urban area. (4)5. 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)