Urbanisation
Urbanisation is the movement of people from rural areas (the countryside) to urban areas (cities), measured as a percentage or a ratio. For most of human history only a small minority of people lived in cities (less than 20%). The major historical event that changed this was the industrial revolution, starting in the UK in the 18th century. New technology meant less farmers could produce the same amount of food, so people started to move to cites looking for work in the new factories. Public transport like trains allowed cities to get bigger and still be accessible to workers. Since the middle of the 20th century, urbanisation has spread from Europe and America to the rest of the world. In 2007 the global population passed 50% living in cities for the first time in history.
Rural flight
Seen from the perspective of the countryside, we can also talk about rural flight. This is the same thing as urbanisation, just thinking more about the effects on the places people leave rather than where they go to. Rural flight is often seen as a problem, as more young people move away from an area, local services and businesses lose money. When these businesses start closing, this makes it harder for the remaining people to live in the area. This can eventually lead to ghost towns, where all the population moves away. Local governments in many rural areas are creating programs to encourage people to stay, worried that the local culture (and their jobs) might be lost.
Positive effects of urbanisation
It may seem obvious that cities pollute the environment. If we imagine the difference between Tokyo and Shirakawago in Gifu, it is clear which is more natural. However, in many cases urbanisaton is actually good for the environment. By keeping the same number of people in a smaller area, the effect they have on the environment is actually lower. People can walk or use public transport rather than drive, and goods need less transportation to reach their customers. Likewise things like electricity and water cause less disruption to the environment when they are travelling over a smaller environment. Perhaps the biggest effect urbanisation has on the environment though is simply by people taking up less space. The more people live closer together, the more space there is for natural habitats where animals and plants can live. As the world population increases, it may be necessary for an even higher percentage of people to live in even bigger cities, and allow the countryside to exist without human interference.
Lesson 13 Reading
Article 13a - Ageing villages of northern Finland
Article 13b - Rural America Is Aging and Shrinking
Article 13c - Nigeria, China, India to account for 35% growth
Article 13d - Two-Thirds of World’s Population Will Live in Cities by 2050
Article 13e - Free cow offer fails to attract Japanese to the countryside
Urbanisation is the movement of people from rural areas (the countryside) to urban areas (cities), measured as a percentage or a ratio. For most of human history only a small minority of people lived in cities (less than 20%). The major historical event that changed this was the industrial revolution, starting in the UK in the 18th century. New technology meant less farmers could produce the same amount of food, so people started to move to cites looking for work in the new factories. Public transport like trains allowed cities to get bigger and still be accessible to workers. Since the middle of the 20th century, urbanisation has spread from Europe and America to the rest of the world. In 2007 the global population passed 50% living in cities for the first time in history.Rural flight
Seen from the perspective of the countryside, we can also talk about rural flight. This is the same thing as urbanisation, just thinking more about the effects on the places people leave rather than where they go to. Rural flight is often seen as a problem, as more young people move away from an area, local services and businesses lose money. When these businesses start closing, this makes it harder for the remaining people to live in the area. This can eventually lead to ghost towns, where all the population moves away. Local governments in many rural areas are creating programs to encourage people to stay, worried that the local culture (and their jobs) might be lost.
Positive effects of urbanisation
It may seem obvious that cities pollute the environment. If we imagine the difference between Tokyo and Shirakawago in Gifu, it is clear which is more natural. However, in many cases urbanisaton is actually good for the environment. By keeping the same number of people in a smaller area, the effect they have on the environment is actually lower. People can walk or use public transport rather than drive, and goods need less transportation to reach their customers. Likewise things like electricity and water cause less disruption to the environment when they are travelling over a smaller environment. Perhaps the biggest effect urbanisation has on the environment though is simply by people taking up less space. The more people live closer together, the more space there is for natural habitats where animals and plants can live. As the world population increases, it may be necessary for an even higher percentage of people to live in even bigger cities, and allow the countryside to exist without human interference.Lesson 13 Reading
Article 13a - Ageing villages of northern Finland
Article 13b - Rural America Is Aging and Shrinking
Article 13c - Nigeria, China, India to account for 35% growth
Article 13d - Two-Thirds of World’s Population Will Live in Cities by 2050
Article 13e - Free cow offer fails to attract Japanese to the countryside
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