GCSE Geography: Urbanization

Definition of Urbanization

• Growth of people living in urban areas
• 55% of the world's population live in urban areas
• Continuously increasing trend

Differences in Urbanization Rates

Higher Income Countries (HICs)

• Examples: UK, Japan
• More economically developed
• Already experienced urbanization
• ~80% of population in urban areas
• Low rate of current urbanization

Lower Income Countries (LICs)

• Examples: Ethiopia, Afghanistan
• Less economically developed
• Currently experiencing urbanization
• ~30% of population in urban areas
• High rate of current urbanization

Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)

• Examples: Brazil, China
• Rapid economic development
• ~50% of population in urban areas
• Medium rates of urbanization

Rural to Urban Migration

• Movement of people from countryside to city
• Affected by push and pull factors

Push Factors

• Natural disasters damaging property & farmland
• Difficulty for rural areas to recover
• Desertification
• Fewer job opportunities
• Lack of educational opportunities

Pull Factors

• More job opportunities
• More economic opportunities
• Access to better healthcare
• Joining family members who have already moved

Conclusion

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