Key Terms: Urbanisation (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Global patterns of urbanisation - key terms

Conurbation – A large urban area formed when cities spread out and merge with nearby towns or rural regions.

Global urban growth – The increasing concentration of population in urban areas; by 2050, 70% of the global population is expected to live in cities.

HDE (Highly Developed Economy) – Countries with high income levels, infrastructure, and urbanisation; urban growth is slow or declining.

LDE (Less Developed Economy) – Countries with low income levels and infrastructure, but experiencing the fastest urbanisation rates.

Natural increase – The growth in population due to the number of births exceeding deaths, not including migration.

Over-urbanisation – A situation where the rate of urban population growth exceeds economic development, leading to unemployment and service pressure.

Push-pull factors – Conditions that drive people away from rural areas (push) and attract them to cities (pull), such as job opportunities and better services.

Rural-urban migration – Movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities in search of better opportunities.

Urban growth – Increase in the physical size or population of urban areas.

Urbanisation – The increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities, often linked to industrialisation and migration.

Urbanisation pathway – A model showing how urbanisation develops through stages, from rural societies to urban and then suburban spread.

Megacities - key terms

Alpha cities – Major global cities ranked by economic power, influence, and connectivity (e.g. London, New York, Tokyo).

Economies of scale – Cost advantages gained by concentrating goods and services in one place, typical in megacities.

Internal growth – Population increase within cities due to high birth rates among existing residents.

Megacity – An urban area with a population exceeding 10 million people.

Multiplier effect – A positive cycle where investment leads to job creation, population growth, and further economic activity.

Peri-urban growth – Expansion of the urban fringe as people move to areas surrounding city centres.

Service sector – Part of the economy that provides services rather than goods, dominant in most megacities.

World cities – Influential cities that act as hubs for finance, politics, culture, and innovation on a global scale (e.g. London, New York).

Processes of urbanisation - key terms

Agglomeration – The concentration of people and activities in one area, leading to city growth.

Brownfield site – Previously developed land, often industrial, that can be redeveloped during urban regeneration.

Counter-urbanisation – Movement of people from cities to rural areas, often for quality of life improvements or affordability.

Decentralisation – The movement of people, jobs, and services away from central urban areas to the suburbs or beyond.

Deindustrialisation – The decline of industrial activity in urban areas, often due to global competition and relocation of industries abroad.

Dormitory settlements – Suburban or rural communities where residents mainly sleep, while still working and using services in the city.

Gated communities – Privately developed residential areas with restricted access, often associated with urban social inequality.

Green belt – Areas of open land around cities where development is restricted to prevent urban sprawl.

Informal settlements – Unregulated housing developments often found in rapidly urbanising cities, lacking basic services and infrastructure.

Positive multiplier effect – When initial investment in a city leads to further economic and social benefits, such as job creation and infrastructure growth.

Re-urbanisation – Also known as urban resurgence; the movement of people back into cities due to regeneration and improved services.

Service economy – The part of the economy focused on providing services like retail, banking, and healthcare, rather than manufacturing.

Suburbanisation – The growth of residential areas on the outskirts of cities, often linked to transport improvements and lifestyle changes.

Urban blight – Decay of urban areas due to neglect, often following deindustrialisation and disinvestment.

Urban regeneration – Redevelopment of run-down urban areas to improve the environment, housing, and economic opportunities.

Urban resurgence – The process of revitalising urban areas through regeneration, attracting people and businesses back into city centres.