18 flashcards · Shared on 19 August 2026 by AtomAI Library
Flip each card to check yourself.
What is urbanisation?
An increase in the proportion of a population living in urban areas
What is urbanisation?
An increase in the proportion of a population living in urban areas
Which definition is commonly used for a megacity?
An urban agglomeration with at least 10 million inhabitants
How does urban growth differ from urbanisation?
Urban growth is an increase in urban population, while urbanisation is an increase in the urban share of the total population
What is rural-to-urban migration?
The movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities
Which is a common push factor encouraging migration away from rural areas?
A shortage of secure employment opportunities
Which urban condition is most likely to act as a pull factor for rural migrants?
More varied employment opportunities
How can natural increase contribute to the growth of a megacity?
Births exceed deaths within the city's population
Why have many cities in lower-income and emerging economies grown rapidly?
Rural-to-urban migration and natural increase have both added to their populations
What is an informal settlement?
A residential area developed outside formal planning or land-tenure systems
Why may informal settlements expand during rapid urbanisation?
Formal housing supply may not keep pace with population growth
What is urban sprawl?
The outward spread of built-up areas into surrounding rural land
Which is a likely consequence of poorly managed urban sprawl?
Loss of farmland and natural habitats around the city
Which challenge often results when a megacity grows faster than its infrastructure?
Pressure on housing, transport and waste collection
What is an economy of agglomeration?
A benefit gained when firms and workers locate close together
Which policy would most directly support more sustainable transport in a megacity?
Developing reliable mass transit and safe walking and cycling routes
What is suburbanisation?
The movement of people and activities from inner urban areas to the outskirts
What is counter-urbanisation?
The movement of people from urban areas to smaller settlements and rural areas
Why can population totals for the same megacity differ between sources?
Sources may use different boundaries, such as the city proper or wider urban agglomeration