Why do people move to citiesPush Pull-Lack of job-Boredom-Few educational opportunities

-Career Opportunities-Culture-Educational Opportunities

Urbanization• Transformation of a society from a

rural to an urban one.

• Urban population - Persons living in cities or towns of 2,500 or more residents.

• Urbanized area - One or more places and the adjacent densely populated surrounding area that together have a minimum population of 50,000.

• Mega-cities - Cities with 10 million residents or more.

Urbanization

• World’s largest cities in 1900:

• World’s largest cities in 2015 (projected)

London 6.4 millionNew York 4.2 millionParis 3.3 millionBerlin 2.4 millionChicago 1.7 million

Tokyo 28.7 million

Bombay 27.4 millionLagos 24.4 millionShanghai 23.4 million

Jakarta 21.2 million*In 1900 14% of people in the world live in cities. In 2005, 50% live in cities

Urbanization• Urban dominance in the developed world became

apparent in the first half of the 20th century.• The second half of this century has seen

tremendous growth in the cities of the developing world.

• Humanity has become a largely urban species and the trend strengthens with every passing year.

Urbanization• Urban growth rates are

much faster than population growth rates as a whole.

• In developing countries the overall rate is 1.9%, but the urban growth rate for cities is around 3.5%.

• The World Resources Institute estimates that for every 1% increase in national population brings a 1.7% growth in urban population.

Negative Aspects of Urbanization

Brainstorm1) Environmental Issues2)Urban SPRAWL:- Land use for urban purposes - Deforestation, loss of agric and habitat land for

housing, shopping, entertainment- Dependency on Cars; commutes to work3) Urban Waste- What to do with garbage

Suburbanization

• Suburbs, urban areas surrounding central cities

• As city residents left the city to live in the suburbs, cities experienced deconcentration, the redistribution of the population from cities to suburbs and surrounding areas.

Metropolitan Growth

• A metropolitan area is a densely populated core area together with adjacent communities.

• The largest city in each metropolitan area is designated the central city.

Metropolitan Growth and Urban Sprawl

• The growth of metropolitan areas is often referred to as urban sprawl—the ever increasing outward growth of urban areas.

• Urban sprawl results in the loss of green open spaces, the displacement and endangerment of wildlife, traffic congestion and noise, and pollution liabilities.

Social Issues

• Ghettoization- socio-economic classes

lumped together in certain areas “Downtown East Side”

- Crime, poverty, lack of social services, decrease in property value

• Gentrification- socio-economic classes lumped together (wealthy peo. In desirable area with poor moving out)

- Unequal access to services

Urbanization

• In the developing world city growth places tremendous pressure on urban infrastructure.

• Water and air quality are stressed.

• Open spaces are encroached upon.

• High rates of unemployment, homelessness and crime are an understandable outcome.

Decline in Available Cropland

Urbanization

• Despite the huge problems faced by the inhabitants of slums, shantytowns, barrios and favellas, there is still great optimism.

• Cities, with their size and complexity, offer a wide range of opportunities unavailable in rural economies.

Positive Impacts of Urbanization

• Social Services- Major hospitals, educ/comm

centers• Entertainment- Cultural events, sporting events,

shopping• Technological advancements

(research centers)• Economic advancements- Stock markets. Corporations, job

creation

Sustainable Cities

Urban planning

• Density (residential,commercial,municipal-together)

Accessible Cores

• Public transit, bike paths, HOV lanes ect

traffic-free zones

•reduce automobile use: – cycling paths, transit & walkways- diversity should limit separation of business, shops and homes- streets/squares become meeting places to relax

Planned Growth

• Community gardens, parks, sport facilities

City Upgrades-low rent housing on the margins of the city-multiple use facilities and high rises- refurbish old buildings-developing vacant space-young professionals replace old rundown areas with refurbished buildings

Green infrastructure

• Recycling program, waste treatment, sources of energy