Changing Urban Environments

Why are the world’s cities growing so fast?How are cities changing?

Are cities in the poorer countries of the world places of hope or despair?

How can urban living be made more sustainable?

Definitions

• Urban and rural • What makes a settlement rural or urban?

• Urban growth• Are rich countries or poor countries more

urban? (evidence)

• Urbanisation

Urbanisation is a global phenomenon

• How does the rate of urbanisation in rich countries compare to that of poor countries?

• Why does urban growth occur?

• Why does urbanisation occur?

Defintions

• What are “megacities”?

• What are conurbations?

• What is a “millionaire” city?

• What do you notice about the number of very large urban areas in rich countries compared to poorer countries?

Urbanisation in richer countries

• Started in the 19th century• The time of the Industrial Revolution• Factories needed people• People moved from the countryside and from

overseas looking for work in the factories• As more and more people arrived more houses

and services were provided and towns grew. Have a look at Middlesbrough’s population growth.

Urbanisation in poorer countries

• What do you know about the rate of natural increase in poorer countries?

• What do you know about the overall level of development in rural areas of many poorer countries?

• What do you know about migration in poorer countries?

• When did the rapid urban growth begin in the poorer countries?