Urbanisation

What is Urbanisation?
• It is defined as the process in which an
increasing proportion of the total population
(usually that of a country) lives in a town or
city.
Urbanised Population by country
 Reasons for Rapid Urbanisation
1. During the 19th Century, MEDCs due to
industrialization required a large labour force
for mining and manufacturing. Eg. London.
This resulted in mass migration, to industrial
areas and cities grew.

2. Since the 1950s, in LEDCs both migration from

rural areas and the high rate of natural
increase in population resulted in the
uncontrolled growth of many cities.
Top 20 Largest Cities by population
1. Tokyo – Japan 11. Seoul – South Korea
2. Mexico City – Mexico 12. Beijing – China
3. Mumbai – India 13. Karachi – Pakistan
4. São Paulo – Brazil 14. Delhi – India
5. New York City – USA 15. Dhaka –Bangladesh
6. Shanghai – China 16. Manila – Philippines
7. Lagos – Nigeria 17. Cairo – Egypt
8. Los Angeles – USA 18. Osaka – Japan
9. Calcutta – India 19. Rio de Janeiro
10. Buenos Aires - Argentina 20. Tianjin - China
 Trends in Urban Growth
• The fastest growing cities are in the Latin
America and Japan-Korea region.

• Most of the fastest growing cities are located

in the LEDCs.
 Trends in Urban Growth
• Although there are over 70 Chinese cities in excess of
1 million inhabitants, these have grown less quickly
than was predicted due to state policies which
reduced family size and restricted the movement of
people away from rural areas.

• Cities in North America and Western Europe are

showing a decrease in overall size because of the
process of counter-urbanisation and reduced birth
rates.
Environmental Impacts of Urbanisation
Urban Hydrology
• as opposed to a natural environment where there
is soil and plants, inside urban areas, much of the
land is covered by concrete, tarmac, brick and
glass.

• the variable height of the buildings and the street

pattern affect not only the air flow, but also the
intensity of solar radiation received at the ground
level.

• Some places might be in shade for most of the day

 whereas other places might receive extra light
reflected from glass buildings.
 Urban heat islands
• towns and cities are generally warmer than
surrounding areas… the term urban heat island
is used to describe this effect.

• although incoming solar radiation is reduced by

dust and smog particles, this cooling effect is
more than counterbalanced by factors which
cause urban areas to be relatively warm. Brick,
concrete and tarmac are good absorbers of heat.
Urban heat islands
Thermal image of Atlanta, Georgia.
Blue shows cool temperatures, red warm, and hot areas
appear white. Daytime air temperatures were only about
26.7°C (80°F), but some surface temperatures reached
47.8°Celsius (118°F).
• in the day time, they become warm and then
slowly release their heat at night, thereby
preventing the temperature from falling as
quickly as elsewhere.

• it is at night time that the difference between

urban and rural temperatures is greatest.

• furthermore, central heating systems, vehicle

engines and industrial processes all generate
heat.
• *** it has been observed that
aggressive behaviour and
murder rates increase when
night time temperatures are
highest.***
 Wind
• the presence of tall buildings in urban areas
creates friction and reduces the speed of air
movement. This causes winds to be generally
lighter than in rural areas.

• However, when air is funnelled between

buildings it becomes strengthened. The
buildings create ‘wind tunnels’.
 Rain
• rainfall is higher in urban areas compared with
surrounding areas, and thunderstorms are more
frequent.

• the higher ground temperature in cities makes

convection currents more likely, and therefore increases
the chance of rain.

• Additionally, the frictional effect of high buildings sets up

air turbulence and triggers upward air movements. the
rising air cools, condensation occurs and cumulus clouds
build.
 Drainage
• Urbanisation increases flood magnitude and
frequency. This comes about in four ways…

• (1) highly impermeable surfaces are created such as

roofs, roads and pavements.

• (2) These surfaces are smooth and they come

together with a dense network of rain gutters which
increases drainage density.
 
• (3) natural river channels which become
constricted by bridge supports and riverside
facilities which reduce the carrying capacity of
rivers.

• (4) Due to increased storm runoff, many

sewage systems cannot cope with the
resulting peak flow without investment in
greater capacity.
 Water resources
• Cities are thirsty places and water is a major
concern. Water is used for both domestic and
industrial purposes and is vital to the
functioning of cities.
 Your research
• Look at the link between urban growth and air
pollution. In particular the negative impact air
pollution (from urban areas) has on human
health.

• Also research how urbanization creates

landfills and how waste/litter is a growing
problem.