Urban Issues and Challenges
During industrialisation, before 1950, rapid urbanisation took place. Many people in USA and Europe moved to urban
areas to get jobs in rapidly growing industries. Since 1950 urbanisation has slowed in most HICs as people move from
urban to rural areas – counter urbanisation. Also due to developments in tech and transport people are able to work
from rural areas. The most rapid growth in rate of urbanisation has occurred in LICs and NEEs.
Push Pull
Better medical facilities Farming is at a subsistent level
Better Public Transport Farming is hard and poorly paying
Well paid jobs Few doctors and hospitals
Higher standard of living possible Isolated due to poor roads
Already has family residing there School only provides basic education
Characteristics of megacities in Characteristics of megacities in Characteristics of megacities in
LICs and NEEs HICs both
Many people work in Many people work in Tertiary Large amounts of waste
secondary sector Sector produced
Lack of sanitation Many people work in formal Air Pollution
economy
Poverty + Many people work Transport Gridlock
in informal economy
City spreading outwards with
slums
Very rapid, recent population
growth
There are 3 types of Megacities:
Slow growing: located in South-East Asia, North America, and Europe. 70% of the population is urban. There are no
squatter settlements. (e.g. Tokyo, Moscow, LA)
Growing: Located in South America and South-East Asia. 40 to 50% of the population is urban. And less than 20% of
the population lives in squatter settlements. (e.g. Beijing, Mexico City)
Rapid Growing: Located in Africa and South Asia. Less than 50% of the population is urban, over 20% live in squatter
settlements. (e.g. Mumbai, Lagos)
Case Study: Rio
Rio is located in SE Brazil and its capital state is Rio de Janeiro. It is found on the Southern/Western Hemisphere. It is
part of South America; its longitude and latitude are 28S 43W. It is a Coastal province which borders the Atlantic
Ocean.
Regional + National Importance Global Importance
Cultural Capital of Brazil Christ the Redeemer is one of the 7 new
wonders of the world
Capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro Receives the most annual visitors in the
southern hemisphere
nd
2 largest city in Brazil It is a Global City
3rd largest metropolitan area in Brazil 6th largest city in North and South America
Accounts for 6% of nation-wide employment In 2012 the city was awarded a UNESCO World
Heritage Site Status
nd
2 largest city in terms of industrial production Hosted 2016 Olympics and 2014 FIFA world cup
as well as its financial industries
Has the country’s most active stock market
, (Bolsa da Valore do Brazil
Rio has 4 Zones.
North zone
- City’s main industrial and Port area
- An area of low-quality housing and Favelas
- The location of the Tijuca National Park
- Has an international airport
Centro Zone
- The oldest part of the city with many historic buildings
- Has the city’s Central Business district (CBD) and shopping area
- The Financial centre with the HQs of Brazil’s largest oil and mining companies
South Zone
- Developed after tunnels were cut through the mountains.
- Rio’s main tourist hotels and Beaches
- Wealthiest district in South America
- Overlooked by Rocinha, largest favela in south America.
West Zone
- Barra di Tijuca has changed from lower class area to a wealthy coastal suburb.
- Industrial area of Campo Grande has low quality housing around the steelworks.
- Has the main Olympics stadium
Brazil’s international importance stems from its Tourist hotspots, cultural significance and ability to host
international events
Why do people migrate to Rio
Type Examples Push/Pull Factors
Rural-> Urban Northeast Regions Better Job Opportunities and possibility
of a better quality of life
International South American Countries - Jobs are easily accessible (shared
China& South Korea borders)
Portugal - Seeking new business
UK & USA opportunities
- Common language (Brazil and
Portugal)
- Industry attracts high skilled
workers
Urban Growth can be caused by natural increase and migration.
Urban Areas provide the following opportunities.
- More jobs available in urban areas
- Better access to clean water, sanitation, education, healthcare
- Greater range of entertainment
- Slums provide affordable housing for poor migrants.
Access to Healthcare
- Free Healthcare system, but it is underfunded and has long waiting times. 25% of healthcare is privatised
and lack of doctors in rural areas.
- Areas with better healthcare, have lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancies
During industrialisation, before 1950, rapid urbanisation took place. Many people in USA and Europe moved to urban
areas to get jobs in rapidly growing industries. Since 1950 urbanisation has slowed in most HICs as people move from
urban to rural areas – counter urbanisation. Also due to developments in tech and transport people are able to work
from rural areas. The most rapid growth in rate of urbanisation has occurred in LICs and NEEs.
Push Pull
Better medical facilities Farming is at a subsistent level
Better Public Transport Farming is hard and poorly paying
Well paid jobs Few doctors and hospitals
Higher standard of living possible Isolated due to poor roads
Already has family residing there School only provides basic education
Characteristics of megacities in Characteristics of megacities in Characteristics of megacities in
LICs and NEEs HICs both
Many people work in Many people work in Tertiary Large amounts of waste
secondary sector Sector produced
Lack of sanitation Many people work in formal Air Pollution
economy
Poverty + Many people work Transport Gridlock
in informal economy
City spreading outwards with
slums
Very rapid, recent population
growth
There are 3 types of Megacities:
Slow growing: located in South-East Asia, North America, and Europe. 70% of the population is urban. There are no
squatter settlements. (e.g. Tokyo, Moscow, LA)
Growing: Located in South America and South-East Asia. 40 to 50% of the population is urban. And less than 20% of
the population lives in squatter settlements. (e.g. Beijing, Mexico City)
Rapid Growing: Located in Africa and South Asia. Less than 50% of the population is urban, over 20% live in squatter
settlements. (e.g. Mumbai, Lagos)
Case Study: Rio
Rio is located in SE Brazil and its capital state is Rio de Janeiro. It is found on the Southern/Western Hemisphere. It is
part of South America; its longitude and latitude are 28S 43W. It is a Coastal province which borders the Atlantic
Ocean.
Regional + National Importance Global Importance
Cultural Capital of Brazil Christ the Redeemer is one of the 7 new
wonders of the world
Capital city of the state of Rio de Janeiro Receives the most annual visitors in the
southern hemisphere
nd
2 largest city in Brazil It is a Global City
3rd largest metropolitan area in Brazil 6th largest city in North and South America
Accounts for 6% of nation-wide employment In 2012 the city was awarded a UNESCO World
Heritage Site Status
nd
2 largest city in terms of industrial production Hosted 2016 Olympics and 2014 FIFA world cup
as well as its financial industries
Has the country’s most active stock market
, (Bolsa da Valore do Brazil
Rio has 4 Zones.
North zone
- City’s main industrial and Port area
- An area of low-quality housing and Favelas
- The location of the Tijuca National Park
- Has an international airport
Centro Zone
- The oldest part of the city with many historic buildings
- Has the city’s Central Business district (CBD) and shopping area
- The Financial centre with the HQs of Brazil’s largest oil and mining companies
South Zone
- Developed after tunnels were cut through the mountains.
- Rio’s main tourist hotels and Beaches
- Wealthiest district in South America
- Overlooked by Rocinha, largest favela in south America.
West Zone
- Barra di Tijuca has changed from lower class area to a wealthy coastal suburb.
- Industrial area of Campo Grande has low quality housing around the steelworks.
- Has the main Olympics stadium
Brazil’s international importance stems from its Tourist hotspots, cultural significance and ability to host
international events
Why do people migrate to Rio
Type Examples Push/Pull Factors
Rural-> Urban Northeast Regions Better Job Opportunities and possibility
of a better quality of life
International South American Countries - Jobs are easily accessible (shared
China& South Korea borders)
Portugal - Seeking new business
UK & USA opportunities
- Common language (Brazil and
Portugal)
- Industry attracts high skilled
workers
Urban Growth can be caused by natural increase and migration.
Urban Areas provide the following opportunities.
- More jobs available in urban areas
- Better access to clean water, sanitation, education, healthcare
- Greater range of entertainment
- Slums provide affordable housing for poor migrants.
Access to Healthcare
- Free Healthcare system, but it is underfunded and has long waiting times. 25% of healthcare is privatised
and lack of doctors in rural areas.
- Areas with better healthcare, have lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancies
