Global Urbanisation

Global Urbanisation

Megacities

• Megacities are cities that house over 10 million people.
• In 1975, there were only four megacities; New York, Mexico City, Sao Paolo, and Tokyo.
• Today, there are over twenty megacities and this number continues to rise rapidly.
• Megacities have become a much more global phenomenon.
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Urbanisation in Developed Countries

• Mainly since the Industrial Revolution; industrialisation has caused employment to become concentrated in urban areas.
• In the past 50 years, developed countries have continued their urbanisation, but at a slower rate.
• This is due to the pull factors of the city, particularly employment.
• The urban population here is ageing.

Urbanisation in Developing Countries

• Mainly in the past 50 years; Africa and Asia have seen a 50% increase in their urban population in the last 50 years.
• Very rapid population growth has occurred because of a decrease in death rates.
• Rural areas cannot provide jobs for the larger population.
• There has also been a natural increase in the urban population.
• The urban population here is young.

Effects of Urbanisation

• Developed World:
• Overcrowded cities
• Increase in the price of housing
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• Crowded transport services and routes
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• Waiting lists for schools
• Developing World:
• Drop in food supplies because young workers have left rural areas
• Shanty towns develop around cities
• Overcrowding of schools
• Unemployment