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
Urban Environments
Key Concepts
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.