Urban Issues & Challenges (AQA GCSE Geography)

Flashcards Overview

• Exam Code: 8035
• Total Cards: 65

Key Concepts

Urbanisation

• Definition: Increasing percentage of a country's population living in towns and cities.
• True or False: High-income countries (HICs) show the highest levels of urbanisation, contrary to low-income countries (LICs).

Megacities

• Definition: Cities with more than 10 million people.
• Growth: Largest growth seen in Asia.

Urban Growth Factors

• Economic development
• Population growth
• Economies of scale
• Multiplier effect

World Cities

• Cities with status and global influence.
• Top three alpha cities: London, New York, and Tokyo.

Urbanisation in LICs

• Driven by mass rural-urban migration and natural increase.
• Opportunities in NEEs and LICs include urban industrial development, improved public services, and living conditions.

Challenges in LICs and NEEs

• Growth of informal settlements (squatter settlements).
• Major risks include fires, flooding, and landslides.
• UN predicts 1 in 4 people will live in informal settlements by 2030.

Urban Issues in Rio de Janeiro

• Over 20% of the population lives in favelas.
• Problems include unsafe electricity connections and limited access to safe water.

Urban Issues in Lagos

• 14% of Lagos has a piped and treated water supply.
• Makoko is the largest squatter settlement.
• Growth has led to increased inequality.

Urban Strategies

• Top-down: Government-led improvements.
• Bottom-up: Community-led social development projects.
• Eko Atlantic City: Built on reclaimed land, aiming for sustainability.

Traffic Management in Lagos

• Alternative transport options, flexible work hours, and real-time traffic updates.

Urban Sprawl

• Uncontrolled growth of towns and cities, encroaching on rural areas.

Urban Sustainability

• Urban Greening: Incorporating green spaces to reduce flooding and improve air quality.
• Corporate Sustainability: Companies reducing their carbon footprint.
• Eco-towns: Designed for minimal environmental impact.

Case Study: Curitiba, Brazil

• First city in Brazil with a dedicated bus lane.
• Urban greening initiatives include parks and lakes to reduce flooding.
• Over 70% of waste is recycled, with initiatives benefiting poorer residents.

Important Questions

• Migration: Movement of people aiming for permanent residence.
• Deprivation: Living standard below majority, involving multiple factors beyond money.

Additional Notes

• Push-Pull Factors: Reasons motivating rural to urban migration.
• Natural Increase: Birth rate higher than death rate, contributing to urban growth.