Urbanisation

Urbanisation is defined as the process by which an increasing proportion of the total population lives in towns and cities. One estimate suggests that in 1800 only 3% of world’s population were urban dwellers this increased to 48% in 1998 and is estimated to rise to 60% by 2025.

Rapid Urbanisation occurred twice in history:

In economically more developed countries (EMDCs), industrial development led to a demand for labour in mining and manufacturing centres. In this regard urbanisation was as a result of economic development.

Since the 1950’s, in economically less developed countries (ELDCs) migration from rural areas and the high rate of natural increase have resulted in the uncontrolled growth of many cities. In this regard urbanisation is as a result of population growth not economic development.

GLOBAL TRENDS OF URBAN POPULATIONRegion Percentage Urbanisation

(%)Urban Growth Rate

(%)  195

02000 2000 2030 1950 -

20002000-2030

World 30 38 47 60 2.7 1.8

More Developed Countries

55 70 76 84 1.4 0.4

Less Developed Countries

18 27 40 86 3.7 2.3

North America 64 74 77 84 1.6 0.9

Europe 52 67 75 83 1.3 0.2

Oceania 62 72 70 74 2.0 1.2

Latin America & Caribbean

41 61 73 83 3.5 1.5

Africa 13 25 38 55 4.4 3.2

Asia 17 25 37 53 3.4 2.2

Trends and Patterns of Urbanisation

Level/ degree of urbanisation – proportion of or percent of a country’s population living in an urban area.

Urban Growth Rate – average annual rate at which the population residing in urban area is growing.

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised, since the 1950’s the level and growth is unprecedented. In 1950 the urban population increased from 73.4 million to 1.5 billion in 1975 (an increase from 30% to 38%) of the proportion of people living in urban areas. By 2000, 2.9 million (47%) is expected to increase to 4.9 billion (60%) in 2030. the average annual growth was estimated to be 2.7% between 1950 and 2000; however it is expected to decline to 1.8% between 2000 and 2030

MORE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

The process of urbanisation is advanced – 76% of the population reside in cities and is expected to increase to 84% by 2030 (i.e. North America, Europe and Oceania)

The level of urbanisation is high, but growth rate is low between 1950 and 2000 (1.4%) and is expected to decline to 0.4% between 2000 and 2030.

These changes are attributed to a decrease in natural increase and rural – urban migration. For example, in Germany there is 0% to negative % growth as fewer children are born. In many developed countries there is little/ no distinction between rural and urban areas.

LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

The level of urbanisation is lower only 4% of the population reside in urban areas; this is expected to increase in 56% in 2030 (which developed countries attained in 1950).

The urban growth rate is higher; annual growth rate of 3.7% between 1950 and 2000 which expected to decline by 2.3% between 2000 and 2030.

Causes of UrbanizationNatural Increase- Towns like other areas of the country, grow in population as the people who live in them have Children. The Kingston- St. Andrew area in jamaica had 27.5% of Jamaica’s population and grew by 10.8% from 1991-2001.In- Migration- Kingston is also gaining population by people moving into the city from the rural areas. Between 1982 and 2001 it grew by 8.7% Portmore which is in close proximity to kingston continues to grow rapidly due to the development of commercial entities.

Causes of Urbanization Cont’d

• Reclassification- rural villages that have expanded rapidly to become towns are reclassified as urban areas. In such cases long-standing residents who were classed as rural dwellers become urban dwellers because their settlements have expanded in size.

Causes of Urbanization Cont’d

OSocial Amenities- Town provides chances of a better education ( since the best schools cann be found there), improved healthcare facilities and recreation in the form of cinemas, race courses and playing fields.OTowns offer a wider range of job opportunities.

The Caribbean region is not only the most

urbanised of the developing countries, but of the

world. For example, in 1960’s 38% of the Caribbean

people reside in urban areas, while 34% of world’s

population. In the 1990’s this figures increased to

59% and 46% respectively for Caribbean. In 2000,

65% of Caribbean was urbanised, while it was 51%

of world population was urbanised. It is expected

that by 2025 this will increase to 75%.

It is, however important to note that the levels of urbanised varied among Caribbean countries.

The following countries are considered to have high levels of urbanisation, as they have over 67% of the population in town and cities: The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and US Virgin Islands.

The following countries have moderate levels of urbanisation: Barbados, Guadeloupe, St. Christopher and Nevis and St. Lucia.

The following countries have low levels of urbanisation: Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Montserrat and St. Vincent.

 

Urban Growth in the Caribbean

OThe Caribbean region has a relatively high urban growth rate of 2.14% per annum between 1995 and 2000.

OThe following countries have high urban growth rate of 2.8%: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

OThe following countries have low urban growth rates: Cayman Islands, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago

O It is important to note that countries with high levels of urbanisation have low growth rates and countries with low levels of urbanisation have high growth rate. This implies that a possible slowing down of urban growth is taking place in countries with high levels of urbanisation.

Urban unemployment- Many persons who move

into the city face unemployment due to lack of job

opportunities.Overcrowding which leads to the development of

slums and ghettoes.Crime and violenceSpread of diseases due to unsanitary living

conditions.Poor sewage disposal systems.Urban Sprawl- As towns get bigger people move into

agricultural lands.Traffic congestionPollution.

Theoretical Perspectives on Urbanisation

Concentric Zone Model

OIt was developed by Ernest Burgess in 1924OKnown as one of the earliest theoretical model to explain urban social structure.OAccording to Burgess the city develops in rings with the CBD in the centre.OThis model was applied to Chicago.

Concentric Zone Model Cont’d

He assumed that new migrants to a city move into inner

city areas because they were the cheapest type of housing

and were closest to the sources of employment.

With time, residents move out of the inner city as they

become wealthier. This was often the second generation

migrants.

In his model, housing quality and social class increased

with distance from the city centre.

Concentric Zone Model Cont’d

Land in the centre is dominated by commercial land uses (they

can afford the high prices of the city centre and need highly

accessible cites).

Beyond the central business district is a manufacturing zone, also

containing high density, low quality housing to accommodate the

workers.

The paradox of the poorest being located on expensive land is

due to their need to be close to the sources of employment.

Landlords achieve their profits by cramming as many tenants as

they could in these zones.

O In contrast, wealthier people are located on the outer areas, in lower density housing, where they are able to commute to work. (Nagle, 2001)

O Key Zones of the Model

the zones identified are:

1. The center was the CBD

2. The transition zone of mixed residential and commercial

uses

3. Working class residential homes (inner suburbs), in later

decades called inner city

4. Better quality middle-class homes (Outer Suburbs)

Criticisms of the ModelFirst, the model does not work well with cities

outside the United States, in particular with those

developed under different historical contexts.

Even in the United States, because of changes

such as advancement in transportation and

information technology and transformation in

global economy, cities are no longer organized

with clear "zones."

Hoyt’s Sector ModelO Hoyt’s Sector Model

Land use model proposed by economist Homer Hoyt in 1939.

He emphasised the importance of transportation routes and the incompatibility of certain land uses.

Recognizing that the various transportation routes

into an urban area, including railroads, sea ports, and

tram lines, represented greater access, Hoyt theorized

that cities tended to grow in wedge-shaped patterns --

or sectors -- emanating from the central business

district and centered on major transportation routes.

Hoyt’s Sector Model Cont’d

O Residential functions would grow in wedge-shaped patterns with a sector of low-income housing bordering manufacturing/industrial sectors (traffic, noise, and pollution makes these areas the least desirable) while sectors of middle- and high-income households were located furthest away from these functions. Hoyt's model attempts to state a broad principle of urban organization

O Lloyd Best, a Trinidadian linked unplanned

urbanisation to Caribbean dependency.

He argued that massive drift out of the rural areas

meant that such areas become ‘hinterlands’ for further

underdeveopment and poverty.

Neglect of rural areas lead to a decline of agricultural

production.

O This would catapult the region into being satellites

Controlling Urbanisation in the Caribbean

O Decentralisation: this encourages development away from capital cities.

O Land zoning laws: In a number of large cities a green belt policy has been adopted to protect farmed areas at the edge of cities from development. Green Belts:

O Limit Urban sprawlO Provide recreational opportunities for the

urban populationO Prevent loss of farmlandO Protect wildlife.

Revision Questions1. Explain Reclassification as a cause for urbanisation?2. What is urban sprawl?3. Name two central business districts in Jamaica.4. Give one example of the zone of transition in Jamaica.5. In what year was Homer Hoyt’s model constructed?6. According to Homer how does urbanisation develop in cities?7. How different is the land use model from the CBD?