Urban - KQ1 (characteristics)

Question 1

What are the general characteristics?

Answer 1

• Large population (dense) = 2000-10,000
• Extensive area of built up/developed land
• Large range of services = services/manufacturing over agriculture

Question 2

Define urbanisation

Answer 2

The rise in the proportion of a population living in urban areas

Question 3

What are the elements of the urbanisation process?

Answer 3

• Shift in economy from farming and primary sector to services/manufacturing (secondary/tertiary/quaternary)
• Concentrated/dense population
• Urban sprawl

Question 4

What are the types of urban change?

Answer 4

RURAL-URBAN = over 50% in urban, massive growth
MEDC-LEDC = fastest rates of urbanisation in developing world (china, india)
SHIFT IN SIZE = rapid urbanisation = urban sprawl = give rise to urban areas

Question 5

Define a megacity

Answer 5

A city or urban agglomeration with a population of 10 million or more inhabitants

Question 6

What are the environmental factors affecting land use pattern?

Answer 6

LOCATION OF RIVER/COASTLINE
- Aesthetic value for residents/tourists
- Easy for transport (eg Guangdong in China)
- However = liable to flooding (should be left as natural ecosystem)
RELIEF
- Flat land = heavy industry (factories)

Question 7

What are the economic factors affecting land use pattern?

Answer 7

LAND COST (Bid Rent Theory)
- City centre is most expensive = accessible (demand/supply) = only commercial can afford = high rise buildings
- Residential on outskirts (cheaper)
TRANSPORT
- Industry surrounded by good transport
- Retail = near consumers/customers