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NapierC ENVS 3100 F2021
Sustainability topic lecture
Urbanisation
What is it?
Where we take a rural area and make it more urban/modern
Urban areas are characterised by dense populations and minimal-to-no agricultural
jobs
Urban transition: rural country area slowly becomes a booming city
Environmental impacts
Decreased air and water quality
Increased water scarcity
Inefficient waste disposal for growing populations
Statistics
Two thirds of the world will live in urban areas in 2050 (compared to one third in
1950)
89% of Asia were estimated to live in urban areas in 2015 (according to the European
Commission)
85% of the world were estimated to live in urban areas in 2015 (according to the
European Commission)
North America had the lowest number of people living in urban areas with 73.3%
(according to the European Commission)
Urbanisation and COVID-19
Spread of COVID-19 increased in cities with high levels of urbanisation
Lots of people in a small area = disease hotspot
Why do people flock to big cities?
Increased job opportunities
Increase in wealth via increased wages
Ease of access to amenities, businesses etc
What is Brunswick, GA, doing?
Renovation of major public areas and government housing
Implementation of new roads, paths, restaurants, shopping etc
No consideration for the environmental impacts of their plans
What can we do?
Plant trees and create green spaces inside the city boundaries
Carpool and take public transport to reduce the need for more parking
Talk to your local government and community members!
NapierC ENVS 3100 F2021
Sustainability topic lecture
Urbanisation
What is it?
Where we take a rural area and make it more urban/modern
Urban areas are characterised by dense populations and minimal-to-no agricultural
jobs
Urban transition: rural country area slowly becomes a booming city
Environmental impacts
Decreased air and water quality
Increased water scarcity
Inefficient waste disposal for growing populations
Statistics
Two thirds of the world will live in urban areas in 2050 (compared to one third in
1950)
89% of Asia were estimated to live in urban areas in 2015 (according to the European
Commission)
85% of the world were estimated to live in urban areas in 2015 (according to the
European Commission)
North America had the lowest number of people living in urban areas with 73.3%
(according to the European Commission)
Urbanisation and COVID-19
Spread of COVID-19 increased in cities with high levels of urbanisation
Lots of people in a small area = disease hotspot
Why do people flock to big cities?
Increased job opportunities
Increase in wealth via increased wages
Ease of access to amenities, businesses etc
What is Brunswick, GA, doing?
Renovation of major public areas and government housing
Implementation of new roads, paths, restaurants, shopping etc
No consideration for the environmental impacts of their plans
What can we do?
Plant trees and create green spaces inside the city boundaries
Carpool and take public transport to reduce the need for more parking
Talk to your local government and community members!
