Page 61 - The World About Us

Mumbai
1.1.1
1.1.1
2.2.5
2.2.3

What are the causes of rapid urban growth?

Low Income Developing Countries (LIDCs) are witnessing Rural-to-urban migra on. This is where migrants are
the fastest cityrowth of any region on the planet. Urban 1being drawn to the ci es from the countryside. China
popula ons are growing so fast in sub-Saharan Africa that currently has 260 million former rural dwellers now living and
some predic ons suggest the urban popula on will triple in working in its ci es. This has led to the rapid growth of
size by 2050. popula on centres such as the Pearl River Delta (2017
Across the globe the urban popula on is set to double by popula on of 120 million) and the Jing-jin-ji Metropolitan
2050. With over six billion people living in ci es, the way we Region around Beijing (popula on in 2017 of 75 million).
run, and live in, our urban areas will change drama cally over As with all migra on pa erns there are both push and pull
the next thirty years. factors which migrants consider before moving to start a new
life elsewhere. The push factors are the nega ve factors
With most change happening in LIDCs and EDCs, these
countries should experience the pa ern of urban growth seen which drive people to leave their home (donor) region. Pull
by the Advanced Countries in the late 19th and early 20th factors are posi ve reasons which a ract people to their new
Centuries (or in La n America since 1950). home (host) region.
Natural Internal growth. Many newly arrived migrants
However, most of these developing countries do not have
the economic advantages the Imperial Powers had when 2se le down in the new city and start a family. Their
their ci es expanded. Many must move forward with far more children add to the growing popula on of the city. The
limited resources. popula on of many ci es in LIDCs are par cularly youthful.
This means that the popula on is likely to grow considerably
Urban geographers are helping city authori es across the over the coming decades, as the children of today begin to
world. Their aim is to learn from the history of past urban have children of their own. With rising life expectancy and
growth, avoid some past mistakes and, hopefully, discover falling mortality rates, people will also live longer.
new ways of making our ci es be er places to live and work.
High popula on growth rates, from both natural increase
In most LIDCs and EDCs the growth of ci es is being and inward migra on, are crea ng ci es which are finding it
driven by two factors: hard to cope with both the scale and pace of change.

fig.168 Push and pull factors of migra on.

Ý Low wages of agricultural workforce. PULL FACTORS
Ý Reduced employment in agriculture as
processes are mechanised. Ý More opportuni es for work in the ci es.
Ý Rela vely fewer services available in rural Ý Ci es are centres of transport systems,
areas, such as good schools and health services. commercial opera ons and industry. This creates
Ý Reduced farm size, as family farms are divided jobs in the supply industries, further enhancing
by inheritance, leads to reduced produc on. employment opportuni es through a mul plier
effect.
Ý Fluctua ng agricultural prices makes planning
difficult, and can lead to indebtedness. Ý Be er concentra on and quality of services in
urban areas.
Ý Climate change may affect rainfall pa erns,
reducing agricultural produc on. Ý The 'bright lights' effect of an a rac ve,
urban lifestyle seen through a media lens.
Ý More conserva ve and tradi onal a tudes Ý Greater social and poli cal freedom is o en
and ideas may encourage young adults to leave.
found in ci es. Those with less tradi onal
PUSH FACTORS lifestyles may be able to express their choices
more openly.

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Many factors contribute to a country’s economic development.e are causes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in LIDCs.
Ther