Megacity

Geography; C6 Megacities * More than half of the worlds megacities are in south east Asia, along the coast (Beijing, Mumbai, Tokyo) * Cities in LICs and MICs grow faster * There are no megacities in Oceania or Europe- however, London is on the verge of becoming a megacity * Megacities are not at high latitudes, this makes trade easier as they are all near each other

There are 4 main factors involved with the growth of megacities:

Economic Development: Drives economic growth and urbanisation. Megacities are produced by a fast and sustainable rate of economic growth.

Population Growth: There are high rates of population growth given the size of the cities. Large volumes of rural-urban migration among young adults and high rates of natural increase are needed to explain the size of these cities. Young people will be drawn to these cities by the ‘buzz’ of feeling close to ‘where it is all happening.’

Economies of Scale: As distances within a megacity are less than between smaller cities, financial savings (economies of scale) can be made in terms of transport. Communication between people and businesses will be easier (another economy).

Multiplier Effect: Success leads to more success. Once a large city is prospering, it gathers momentum which will carry it forward. This leads to more prosperity and growth. There are more jobs so more people come which means there are more people who need goods and services which creates more jobs and so the cycle goes on.

* Megacities grow and prosper at the expense of towns, cities and regions elsewhere within the country. Megacities become powerful cores that create large fringes around them.