The global pattern of urban change
Urban trends
How is the world’s urban population changing?
Urbanisation is the process by which an increasing percentage of a country's population
comes to live in towns and cities
High income countries (HICs) show the lowest levels of urbanisation, with the highest levels
being in Africa and SE Asia
Natural increase in LICs
Natural decrease in HICs
Urbanisation has already happened in NEEs, which are still not quite developed
More people now live in towns and cities than in rural areas
World population doubled between 1950 and 2015, but the urban population more than
trebled due to:
o The decline of industry in developed countries, as the industry moved overseas to
newly emerging economies (NEEs) and low-income countries (LICs) to take
advantage of a cheaper workforce, government incentives, tax breaks, etc.
o Which led to industrial growth in NEEs and 'pulled' people from rural regions to
urban areas, with the hope of a better life and employment
How urbanisation happens
- Urbanisation is the result of rural-urban migration and natural increase
- Urbanisation has led to large numbers of megacities in Asia:
o Over half the world’s population lives in Asia- China and India both have over 1
billion people
o Most of Asia’s population is rural, but this is changing
very quickly
- Factors affecting the growth of megacities:
o Migration: rural-urban migration of young people due to
pull factors, such as jobs and education
o Natural increase: young population increase birth rates,
and cities have better health care, so lower death rates
and higher life expectancy
o Economic development: cities are good places for
businesses to grow and flourish
o Location: trade thrives in cities, as they are located on
rivers/coasts, and are well connected
Megacity trends
Megacities will grow in Asia and Africa, and they will slow down in Europe and North America
Urban growth in Nigeria- Lagos
Lagos facts
1) Largest city in Africa, 17 million people
2) Many schools, hospitals, and universities
3) Generates 25% of Nigeria’s wealth
4) Main financial centre in West Africa
, 5) Transport hub, international airport, and seaport
Growing Lagos
How fast is Lagos growing?
4 million people by 1990, 17 million by 2019
Incredibly high rates, difficult to predict
City has expanded northwards, following the main railway line
Expansion started during oil boom in 1970s, and continued to grow despite fall in living
standards
What causes population growth in Lagos?
- Rural-urban migration due to push factors in countryside (lack of opportunities, low pay)
- High rate of natural increase due to city’s youthful population
Push and pull factors
Education and health services are poor in rural areas
Changing climate makes weather less predictable (droughts/floods)
Farming pays poorly but requires a lot of work
Few jobs other than farming
Land shortage due to population growth
Land is degraded due to farming, and is polluted by oil in the Niger Delta region
Political unrest creates insecurity (e.g. Boko Haram)
Lagos-opportunities and challenges
Opportunities
Education:
o 68% of the population of Lagos has secondary education
o In rural areas 40% of children don’t attend primary school
o There are more schools and universities in Lagos than in the rural areas, which
attracts migrants with families to the city
o With education residents are more likely to find work in Lagos in one its growing
industries like finance, film or fashion
Healthcare:
o Above average healthcare, and whilst healthcare in Lagos is not free, it is available
unlike many rural areas
o Life expectancy is 53 years
o Charities have set up floating healthcare centres on the lagoon in the slums of
Makoko and provide primary care, reproductive and maternity care for free
Economic:
o 80% of Nigerian industry is in Lagos
o Main export is oil
o Growing fashion, and film industry (Nollywood)
o The CBD and the Eko Atlantic development provide high skilled jobs
o Industrial areas and ports provide low skilled work, and jobs in informal sector
Challenges
Housing:
Urban trends
How is the world’s urban population changing?
Urbanisation is the process by which an increasing percentage of a country's population
comes to live in towns and cities
High income countries (HICs) show the lowest levels of urbanisation, with the highest levels
being in Africa and SE Asia
Natural increase in LICs
Natural decrease in HICs
Urbanisation has already happened in NEEs, which are still not quite developed
More people now live in towns and cities than in rural areas
World population doubled between 1950 and 2015, but the urban population more than
trebled due to:
o The decline of industry in developed countries, as the industry moved overseas to
newly emerging economies (NEEs) and low-income countries (LICs) to take
advantage of a cheaper workforce, government incentives, tax breaks, etc.
o Which led to industrial growth in NEEs and 'pulled' people from rural regions to
urban areas, with the hope of a better life and employment
How urbanisation happens
- Urbanisation is the result of rural-urban migration and natural increase
- Urbanisation has led to large numbers of megacities in Asia:
o Over half the world’s population lives in Asia- China and India both have over 1
billion people
o Most of Asia’s population is rural, but this is changing
very quickly
- Factors affecting the growth of megacities:
o Migration: rural-urban migration of young people due to
pull factors, such as jobs and education
o Natural increase: young population increase birth rates,
and cities have better health care, so lower death rates
and higher life expectancy
o Economic development: cities are good places for
businesses to grow and flourish
o Location: trade thrives in cities, as they are located on
rivers/coasts, and are well connected
Megacity trends
Megacities will grow in Asia and Africa, and they will slow down in Europe and North America
Urban growth in Nigeria- Lagos
Lagos facts
1) Largest city in Africa, 17 million people
2) Many schools, hospitals, and universities
3) Generates 25% of Nigeria’s wealth
4) Main financial centre in West Africa
, 5) Transport hub, international airport, and seaport
Growing Lagos
How fast is Lagos growing?
4 million people by 1990, 17 million by 2019
Incredibly high rates, difficult to predict
City has expanded northwards, following the main railway line
Expansion started during oil boom in 1970s, and continued to grow despite fall in living
standards
What causes population growth in Lagos?
- Rural-urban migration due to push factors in countryside (lack of opportunities, low pay)
- High rate of natural increase due to city’s youthful population
Push and pull factors
Education and health services are poor in rural areas
Changing climate makes weather less predictable (droughts/floods)
Farming pays poorly but requires a lot of work
Few jobs other than farming
Land shortage due to population growth
Land is degraded due to farming, and is polluted by oil in the Niger Delta region
Political unrest creates insecurity (e.g. Boko Haram)
Lagos-opportunities and challenges
Opportunities
Education:
o 68% of the population of Lagos has secondary education
o In rural areas 40% of children don’t attend primary school
o There are more schools and universities in Lagos than in the rural areas, which
attracts migrants with families to the city
o With education residents are more likely to find work in Lagos in one its growing
industries like finance, film or fashion
Healthcare:
o Above average healthcare, and whilst healthcare in Lagos is not free, it is available
unlike many rural areas
o Life expectancy is 53 years
o Charities have set up floating healthcare centres on the lagoon in the slums of
Makoko and provide primary care, reproductive and maternity care for free
Economic:
o 80% of Nigerian industry is in Lagos
o Main export is oil
o Growing fashion, and film industry (Nollywood)
o The CBD and the Eko Atlantic development provide high skilled jobs
o Industrial areas and ports provide low skilled work, and jobs in informal sector
Challenges
Housing:
