Urbanization and Rural Migrants
Definitions
Urbanisation: The process in which an increasing proportion of the population live in cities/urban areas.
Urban growth: Increase in population size and/or physical size of the towns, cities and other larger urban settlements in a country or a region.
Process whereby settlements grow in terms of population number and/or physical size
Megacity: A giant metropolis with a population of at least 10 million
Slums: A residential area that is physically and socially deteriorated and in which satisfactory family life is impossible.
Squatters: Shelters with poor structural quality and developed without legal claims to the land and/or permission from the concerned authorities
Trends in urbanisation
General trends:
In 1950, there were two megacities with 10 million or more inhabitants. By 2005, this number has increased to 20 and it is projected that there will be 22 megacities by 2015. Developing countries will have 18 of the 22 megacities in 2015.
LEDCs vs MEDCs:
Since 1950, the most rapid growth in urbanisation has occurred in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) in South America, Africa and Asia. Between 1950 and 1990, the urban population in LEDCs has doubled. In China, the urban population grew from 192 million to 375 million in 16 years.
However, this is not the case in MEDCs, which instead face the phenomenon of counter-urbanisation where people choose to move away from the bustling city to the quieter rural environment.
Positive impacts (Reasons for urbanisation)
Wage and employment differentials
Economic advancements are better in the city for migrants due to higher wages and increased number of working days. For example, In Dehli, rural migrants’ income increase by 150% compared to those in villages.
Job opportunities in the city can also be found in the form of employment in informal sectors such as hawkers selling food by the sidewalks. This requires limited capital as money does not have to be spent on
Urbanisation: The process in which an increasing proportion of the population live in cities/urban areas.
Urban growth: Increase in population size and/or physical size of the towns, cities and other larger urban settlements in a country or a region.
Process whereby settlements grow in terms of population number and/or physical size
Megacity: A giant metropolis with a population of at least 10 million
Slums: A residential area that is physically and socially deteriorated and in which satisfactory family life is impossible.
Squatters: Shelters with poor structural quality and developed without legal claims to the land and/or permission from the concerned authorities
Trends in urbanisation
General trends:
In 1950, there were two megacities with 10 million or more inhabitants. By 2005, this number has increased to 20 and it is projected that there will be 22 megacities by 2015. Developing countries will have 18 of the 22 megacities in 2015.
LEDCs vs MEDCs:
Since 1950, the most rapid growth in urbanisation has occurred in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) in South America, Africa and Asia. Between 1950 and 1990, the urban population in LEDCs has doubled. In China, the urban population grew from 192 million to 375 million in 16 years.
However, this is not the case in MEDCs, which instead face the phenomenon of counter-urbanisation where people choose to move away from the bustling city to the quieter rural environment.
Positive impacts (Reasons for urbanisation)
Wage and employment differentials
Economic advancements are better in the city for migrants due to higher wages and increased number of working days. For example, In Dehli, rural migrants’ income increase by 150% compared to those in villages.
Job opportunities in the city can also be found in the form of employment in informal sectors such as hawkers selling food by the sidewalks. This requires limited capital as money does not have to be spent on