15.6.2 How does urbanisation differ across regions over time? Urbanisation has not occurred evenly across the world. Some countries are predominantly rural, such as Cambodia and Papua New Guinea (populations 77 per cent and 87 per cent rural, respectively), whereas others are almost completely urban, such as Belgium and Kuwait (98 per cent urban for both). In fact, some countries have 100 per cent urban populations, including Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Monaco, Vatican City and Singapore. South America is becoming one of the most urbanised regions in the world and currently has a population of around 385 million people. It is estimated that by 2050, 91.4 per cent of its population will be residing in urban areas.
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Identify the two continents that were the least urbanised in 1900. 2. Identify which continents have been the most urbanised throughout this period. 3. Explain which continents have experienced the most growth in the period depicted in this graph.
FIGURE2 The growth in urban populations over time
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2020
2030
2040
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year
Latin America and the Caribbean
Asia
Africa
Europe
Oceania
North America
15.6.3 Urban growth Urbanisation is when people move from rural areas to cities. Urban growth is the rate at which a city’s population increases. You might hear people say, ‘This suburb popped up overnight,’ or, ‘The city is getting bigger.’ This refers to urban growth. Urban growth often reflects a country’s economic success. More urban growth means more houses and jobs, for builders, plumbers and electricians. Simply put: more urban growth, more money. But there are downsides. Urban growth increases traffic, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions. It also causes water pollution as rainwater carries chemicals into water sources. More houses mean more water use for showers and drinking. As cities expand, they need more space, which often comes from nature. This can harm wildlife habitats, reduce farmland and lead to the loss of parks and open spaces.
444 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator