2.3.3

Consequences of Urbanisation

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Consequences of Urbanisation

There are different reasons for differences in urbanisation between countries, which have different consequences. Natural increase and rural to urban migration are the main causes of urbanisation in developing countries.

Illustrative background for Economic consequences - developing countriesIllustrative background for Economic consequences - developing countries ?? "content

Economic consequences - developing countries

  • If there aren't enough jobs to go around, then unemployment levels can end up being very high.
  • Many people are employed in the informal sector and so often get made to work long hours for little pay in poor conditions.
  • Not everyone has access to education so they can't acquire the skills necessary to move up the job ladder.
Illustrative background for Social and economic consequences - developing countriesIllustrative background for Social and economic consequences - developing countries ?? "content

Social and economic consequences - developing countries

  • Squatter settlements and shanty towns are common because of a lack of affordable housing.
  • Poor health is common because the infrastructure for basic services (e.g. access to clean water) can't keep up with the population growth rate.
  • Crime levels are often high.
Illustrative background for Environmental consequences - developing worldIllustrative background for Environmental consequences - developing world ?? "content

Environmental consequences - developing world

  • River habitats can be harmed if the water is contaminated by sewage or toxic chemicals.
  • Waste disposal is often not efficient enough, leading to build-ups of rubbish.
  • Traffic is often very bad.
Illustrative background for Consequences - developed countriesIllustrative background for Consequences - developed countries ?? "content

Consequences - developed countries

  • In most developed countries, the rate of urbanisation increased when they were developing nations.
  • Urbanisation in developed countries today usually happens because migrants move to the area looking for jobs, or because someone already has a job in that city.
  • Suburbanisation and counter-urbanisation actually see some middle class people leaving a city.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Geography

1.1River Environments

1.2Coastal Environments

1.3Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones

1.4Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes

2Human Geography

3Global Issues

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