Urbanisation
What is urbanisation?
Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas.
What is a megacity?
A megacity is a city with a population of over 10 million people.
Name one economic challenge of rapid urban growth.
Unemployment, informal jobs, housing shortages, poverty.
What does a sustainable city aim to achieve?
A sustainable city balances economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection
Which city is known for its high-rise slums and informal economy?
Dharavi (Mumbai, India) is known for its high-rise slums and informal economy.
Name two push factors that cause rural-to-urban migration.
Two push factors: Lack of jobs, poor healthcare, natural disasters, conflict.
Name two world cities and explain why they have global importance.
Examples of world cities: New York (financial hub), London (political and economic influence)
Name one economic challenge of rapid urban growth.
Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of cities into rural areas, leading to loss of farmland and increased pollution.
Name two features of a sustainable city.
Green spaces, renewable energy, efficient transport, waste recycling, water conservation.
How has Singapore managed its limited land space?
Singapore uses vertical housing, underground spaces, and strict land-use planning.
Which continent has the fastest urban growth?
Africa has the fastest urban growth.
What is the difference between a megacity and a world city?
A megacity is based on population size; a world city is based on global influence.
Name two environmental issues in world cities.
Air pollution, water pollution, waste management, deforestation, urban heat islands.
How does green infrastructure (e.g., rooftop gardens) help cities?
Green infrastructure improves air quality, reduces urban heat, and enhances biodiversity.
What are the main issues with Mexico City’s air pollution?
Mexico City suffers from high air pollution due to traffic congestion, industrial emissions, and surrounding mountains trapping smog.
Give an example of a city implementing public transport improvements to reduce pollution.
Counter-urbanization is the movement of people from cities to rural areas, e.g., people leaving London for the countryside.
Which city has the largest urban population in the world?
Tokyo has the largest urban population.
How does rapid urbanization affect transportation systems?
Rapid urbanization can overwhelm roads, cause congestion, and lead to inadequate public transport.
Give an example of a city implementing public transport improvements to reduce pollution.
Bogotá (Colombia) and Curitiba (Brazil) have improved public transport by adding bus rapid transit (BRT) systems.
Name two strategies that Curitiba, Brazil has used to become more sustainable.
Curitiba has implemented an efficient bus system, green spaces, and waste recycling programs.
What is the urban-rural continuum?
The urban-rural continuum refers to the gradual transition between urban and rural areas, often with suburban and peri-urban zones in between.
Explain how a city can become a global financial hub.
A city can become a global financial hub through banking, stock markets, international business headquarters, and economic influence (e.g., New York, London, Shanghai).
Explain the concept of a dual economy in urban areas.
A dual economy refers to cities with a formal economy (banks, offices) and an informal economy (street vendors, unregistered businesses) existing side by side
Explain the circular economy model in urban areas.
The circular economy reduces waste by reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials to create a sustainable system.
How has London’s congestion charge helped reduce traffic and pollution?
London’s congestion charge has reduced traffic and encouraged public transport use, cutting pollution levels.