Urbanisation EX [Total 30 marks]

Answer the following questions.

1. Define the terms “urbanization” and “urban sprawl”. (4)

Urbanization- is the increase of population in towns or cities mainly from the migration

of persons from the country side.

Urban sprawl- it is the rapid outward expansion of an urban area.

2. Outline TWO causes of urbanization. (2)

Rural urban-migration and Reclassification

3. State THREE push factors and THREE pull factors of rural-urban migration. (6)

Push factors- unemployment, low wages and crop failure

Pull factors-better paid jobs, family and friends have moved and varied social life and

entertainment.

4. Describe TWO impacts of urbanization on rural areas. (4)

Loss of services- as the population decreases some public services may be affected such

as schools. As services decline, persons may move away and the cycle continues.

Decreasing food production- older persons aren’t able to cope with the physical

demands to farm, so then food production decreases.

5. Describe TWO impacts of urban areas on urban areas. (4)

Land shortage- as the population increases there is not enough land to construct houses

and businesses.

Urban decay- where buildings that have been poorly maintained deteriorated and looks

unattractive to investors.
6. Using a named Caribbean capital,

(i) Explain THREE problems of urbanization. (6)

In Kingston harbor, Jamaica due to urbanization:

• after old sewage treatment plants stopped working, untreated and semi-

untreated sewage were pumped into the harbor every day.

•There are oil spills at the oil refinery and from ships. Some industrial chemicals

are poisonous to marine life.

•land reclamation and engineering works have interfered with the tidal currents.

Hunt’s bay had been virtually cut off from the rest of the harbor by a causeway,

reducing water circulation.

(ii) Explain TWO attempts made by Caribbean governments to curb urbanization.

(4)

• A large sewage treatment plant was opened at Soapberry and treats effluent

from most of Kingstown and St. Andrew and would eventually serve Portmore

and Spanish town. Bacteria and algae break down organic matter in oxidization

ponds. After treatment the waste can be safely discharged into the Rio Cobre.

• There have been attempts to stop people from using watercourses to dump

garbage and appliances. Industries been encouraged to treat their waste or

dispose of it elsewhere. Ships are no longer allowed to flush out oil thanks or

release pollutants.