Topic 3 of 3Pearson EdExcel

Urban Environments

Urbanisation, urban growth, and sustainable cities

Urbanisation = increasing proportion of population living in cities. Highest in LEDCs currently.

Rural-urban migration causes:

Push factors (rural): poverty, lack of jobs, drought, poor services

Pull factors (urban): employment, better education, healthcare, bright lights

Urban land use models:

Burgess (concentric ring) model: CBD at centre, rings of residential use outward

Hoyt (sector) model: sectors along transport routes

Problems in LEDC cities:

Squatter settlements (slums): Lack infrastructure, sanitation, legal land tenure. Often on hazardous land.

Traffic congestion, air/water pollution, lack of services

Urban regeneration: Improving rundown urban areas. Methods: property-led regeneration, community schemes, flagship projects.

Sustainable cities: Cities that meet present needs without compromising future generations.

Reduce traffic (cycle lanes, congestion charging, public transport)

Energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy

Waste recycling and green spaces

Mixed-use development (reduces commuting)

Key Points to Remember

1Urbanisation: growing proportion in cities, faster in LEDCs
2Push (rural poverty) and pull (urban jobs) factors drive rural-urban migration
3Squatter settlements: informal housing, lacking services, legal title
4Sustainable cities: reduce traffic, energy efficiency, green spaces

Pakistan Example

Karachi — South Asia's Megacity and Urban Geography Case Study

Karachi grew from 500,000 (1947) to 16+ million today — one of the world's fastest urbanisations. Lyari and Orangi Town are among Asia's largest informal settlements (squatter settlements/katchi abadis). Push factors: rural poverty, floods in Sindh and Punjab. Pull: port jobs, manufacturing, services. The Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project aims to reduce traffic congestion sustainably — but execution has been slow. Karachi's urban geography is living EdExcel material.

Quick Revision Infographic

Geography — Quick Revision