OCR GCSE Geography B: Urban Futures Tutorial

This tutorial covers the key components of the OCR GCSE Geography B specification for the Urban Futures topic. It focuses on urbanisation trends, drivers, case studies, urban cycles, and management strategies.

1. Understanding Urban Futures

What is Urbanisation?

Urbanisation is the process by which rural areas transform into urban centres. It is a key driver of economic, social, and environmental change.

Global Urbanisation Trends

• 2007: 50% of the global population lived in urban areas.
• 2050: This is projected to rise to 77%.
• Megacities: Cities with populations exceeding 10 million (e.g., Tokyo, Delhi).
• Meta-Cities: Cities with populations exceeding 20 million, often forming vast urban agglomerations.

2. Drivers of Urbanisation

Push-Pull Factors

• Push Factors: Factors that force people to leave rural areas (e.g., poverty, limited job opportunities, natural hazards).
• Pull Factors: Factors that attract people to urban areas (e.g., better jobs, education, healthcare, and amenities).

Natural Increase

• High birth rates and low death rates in urban areas contribute to rapid population growth.

3. Case Study: Lagos, Nigeria

Rapid Growth

• Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, with a population exceeding 15 million.
• Projected to reach 88 million by 2100, becoming one of the world's largest cities.

Challenges

• Makoko Slum: A large informal settlement with inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and limited access to services.
• Overcrowding, pollution, and infrastructure strain are significant issues.

Management Interventions

• The World Bank has funded drainage improvements to reduce flooding.
• Slum upgrading programmes aim to improve living conditions in areas like Makoko.

4. The Urban Cycle Model

1. Suburbanisation

• The movement of people and businesses from city centres to outer suburbs.
• Driven by a desire for better housing, cleaner environments, and lower costs.

2. Counter-Urbanisation

• The decentralisation of population and economic activity from cities to rural areas.
• Often due to technological advancements (e.g., remote work) and a desire for a better quality of life.

3. Re-Urbanisation

• The re-growth of city centres as people return for jobs, cultural amenities, and investment in urban renewal.
• Examples include loft conversions and the development of inner-city housing.

Socio-Economic Impacts

• Suburbanisation can lead to urban sprawl and loss of green spaces.
• Counter-urbanisation can revitalise rural areas but may reduce urban economic activity.
• Re-urbanisation can increase property prices and gentrification.

5. Managing Urbanisation

Green Belts

• Designated areas of countryside around cities to control urban sprawl.
• Examples include the London Green Belt.

Slum Upgrading

• Improving conditions in informal settlements (e.g., better housing, sanitation, and infrastructure).
• Examples include slum upgrading programmes in Nairobi and Rio de Janeiro.

Brownfield Regeneration

• Redeveloping disused or polluted urban land for housing, retail, or industry.
• Examples include dockland renewals in London and Liverpool.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Megacity: A city with over 10 million inhabitants.
• Meta-City: A city with over 20 million inhabitants.
• Urban Sprawl: The uncontrolled growth of cities into surrounding rural areas.
• Gentrification: The process of wealthier individuals moving into previously low-income areas, leading to higher property prices.

By working through this tutorial, you should have a strong understanding of urbanisation trends, drivers, and management strategies within the Urban Futures topic. Use this as a foundation for further revision and case study analysis.