Urbanisation and it’s importance in human affairs:
- Cities are important for the organisation of economic production and financial services.
- exchange of ideas and creative thinking e.g universities
- Social and cultural centres
- Centres of political power and decision making.
Global Patterns of Urbanisation since 1945:
- Overall global pattern is since 1945 there has been an increase in people living in urbanised areas.
- 1945, less than 1/3rd of the world’s population lived in towns and cities whereas in 2030 it is expected to rise to about 2/3rds
- UK, 85% live in urbanised areas.
- Due to pull factors.
Definition of urbanisation:
- The increase in the proportion of people living/or moving into urban areas.
- Usually occurs due to migration and natural increase.
- Greater pull factors such as Jobs and healthcare.
Definition of Suburbanisation:
The decentralisation of people, employment and services to the outskirts of cities.
- Closely linked to the development of transport links.
- People may desire more space away from the city life, may also be cheaper land.
- May lead to economic and ethnic segregation as wealthier move out.
Definition of Counter-urbanisation:
- People moving from larger urban areas to rural areas.
- Improvements in transport encourage this.
- Pull of rural life, bigger space.
- Covid-19 work from home, less demand for city life.
Definition of urban resurgence:
- Movement of people back into rural areas and cities.
- Mainly young people are pulled towards the city for the 24 hour life.
- May attract businesses to relocate.
- May lead to regeneration schemes, revival of CBD
The emergence of megacities and world cities and their role in global and regional economies:
Megacities are urban areas with specifically a population of over 10 million people e.g Tokyo.
Megacities dominate the national and regional economies of countries. As many large companies locate themselves in megacities.
World cities have political and financial influence over the entire world e.g London
World cities dominate international trade and regional economies in their area, as they have good transport links.
Both the number of megacities and world cities are increasing.
Economic processes associated with urbanisation and urban growth:
- Leads to shift in employment from primary sector to the tertiary sector, economic growth, higher wages.
- Rural to urban migration increases population density so more people contributing to economy resulting in multiplier effect.
- Economic inequalities and rise of squatter settlements.
Social processes associated with urbanisation and urban growth:
Increased migration increases multiculturalism so cities become more diverse.
Museums and art galleries.
Social segregation may occur.
Technological processes associated with urbanisation and urban growth:
- Urban areas are hotspots for technological advancements e.g Silicon Valley, Apple.
- New technology is introduced into cities first as their is higher demand, Smart cities.
Political Processes associated with urbanisation or urban growth:
- Central politician institutions are almost always in Capital.
- Urban growth usually leads to a new working class, often made up of people working in manufacturing industries. This leads to political movement to represent the new working class.
Political reform focuses on issues that affect urban life.
Demographic processes associated with urbanisation and urban growth:
- Cities demographic change as they become more culturally diverse.
- Usually younger population when urban resurgence occurs and universities.
- Older people in suburbs
3 factors of urban change:
Deindustrialisation
Decentralisation
Rise of the service economy
Definition of Deindustrialisation:
- Long term decline of a countries manufacturing and heavy industries.
- Deindustrialisation trend after WW2 because of:
- Reduced need for labour due to advances in tech.
- Globalisation of manufacturing, outsourcing and offshoring.
- Led to decline in urban areas.
Definition of Decentralisation:
- Urban developments moving away from the city, due to cheaper land and transports.
- Decentralisation can lead to decline in CBD.
- Metrocentre in Gateshead
Rise of the service economy:
- Dominant source of economic growth is through providing services rather than producing goods.
- Advances in technology have benefited services such as Banking.
- Rising disposable incomes.
Urban policy and regeneration in Britain since 1979:
Urban development corporations
Enterprize zones
City Challenge
Partnership Schemes
Urban development corporations:
Year - 1979-1990s
- They use private sector funding to restore derelict areas.
- First UDCS were established in the London Docklands, where the aims were to attract new businesses, improve local environment and create jobs.
Between 1981 and 1998, 24,00 new houses were built and 85,000 new jobs created.
Enterprize zones:
Year - 1981 to Present.
- Established in areas of high unemployment.
- Attract companies to create jobs by reducing taxes on corporation and land.
1990, EZs housed over 5000 companies creating 125,000 jobs. Led to multiplier effect.
However, existing companies moved premises
City Challenge:
1991-1997
- Local authorities competed for government funding to regenerate deprived urban areas.
Improve, physical, economic and social environment of an area.
- By 1997 over 50,000 jobs had been created and 40,000 houses improved.
Partnership schemes:
2010 to present
- Government works with private companies to provide financial support and expertise for regeneration projects.
- Improve areas by building parks buildings and sports centres, reduce unemployment.
- E.g Liverpool City region, 2012, increased business activity in Liverpool.
