What’s life like in different cities? (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B): Revision Note

Specification link

This page covers part of section 1.1.2 of the WJEC/Eduqas GCSE specification – the growth and character of two global cities.

• One city should be LIC or NIC. The other city must be an HIC.

  • For each city, learners must set their studies within its regional, national, and global context.

  • For each city, identify (a) the reasons for its growth. (b) the resulting ways of life. (c) the social, economic and cultural patterns within the city. (d) Current challenges.

Life in a Low-Income Country (MIC)/Newly Industrialised Country (NIC)

Mumbai

• Cities are not all the same

• The experience of living in an LIC/NIC city is very different from living in an HIC city

• LIC/NIC cities like Mumbai or Lagos grow so fast that housing and services cannot keep up. This leads to:

  • Informal housing ('slums')

  • Poor sanitation

  • Congestion

  • High pollution levels

• These cities also have thriving informal economies, cultural vibrancy, and youthful populations

Reasons for the growth of Mumbai

• Mumbai is India’s largest city, home to more than 20 million people (Census India, 2024)

• Growth is due to rural–urban migration and natural increase

• Many migrants come from Maharashtra (the home state) and the poorer region of Uttar Pradesh in northern India

  • Push factors include low rural incomes, poor education, and lack of healthcare

  • Pull factors include jobs in manufacturing, services, and construction, as well as access to schools and hospitals

• Mumbai is also India’s financial capital, hosting the Bombay Stock Exchange and many global companies (World Bank, 2024)

The way of life in an HIC – Sydney

• In HIC cities like London or Sydney, the challenges are different:

  • Housing affordability

  • Rising inequality

  • Traffic congestion

• Services and infrastructure are usually better developed, and cities offer diverse job opportunities and high-quality leisure facilities

Reasons for Sydney's growth

• Sydney, Australia’s largest city, has a population of about 5.4 million (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024)

• Its growth was initially due to international migration from Europe after World War II

• More recently, immigration has come from Asia and the Pacific, increasing cultural diversity

• Sydney offers:

  • High living standards

  • Stable employment

  • Good transport links

• The city’s strong economy and global reputation attract skilled workers and students from around the world

Social, economic and cultural patterns within these cities

Social patterns

• In Mumbai, huge contrasts exist between wealthy districts such as Bandra West and informal settlements like Dharavi

• Dharavi covers just 2.1 km²

  • It is home to nearly one million people, many living without reliable sanitation or clean water (BBC News, 2024)

• By contrast, affluent areas have gated housing, private healthcare, and international schools

• Access to services depends heavily on income and location

• In Sydney, inequality also exists, but in a different form

• Wealthy suburbs like Mosman or Manly offer large homes and sea views, while outer suburbs such as Mount Druitt have lower incomes and higher unemployment

• Overall, Sydney ranks among the world’s most liveable cities due to excellent healthcare, education, and leisure facilities (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2024)

Economic patterns

• Mumbai is India’s financial and commercial hub

  • Major industries include:

    • Finance

    • Film (Bollywood)

    • Textiles

    • Technology

  • The informal sector is huge — around 60% of residents work in unregulated jobs, such as:

    • Recycling

    • Street vending

    • Small workshops

  • Despite poverty, Dharavi’s informal economy produces over £700 million annually, showing strong entrepreneurial activity

• Sydney’s economy is based on services, finance, technology, and tourism

  • It hosts headquarters for major banks and global firms

  • Unemployment is low, but housing affordability is a major issue

  • The city’s multicultural population contributes to a strong creative and business culture

Cultural patterns

• Mumbai is one of the most culturally diverse cities in India

  • Known as the home of Bollywood, which produces over 1,000 films a year

  • Festivals such as Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi unite communities across religions

  • Street markets, cricket, and local food (vada pav) are key parts of daily life

• Sydney reflects Australia’s multicultural identity

  • Around 40% of residents were born overseas (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024)

  • Cultural events include the Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, and Vivid Sydney

  • Landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge showcase global influence and tourism appeal

Challenges within these cities

Mumbai

• Housing

  • Rapid population growth has led to widespread slum development and overcrowding

• Poverty and inequality

  • Around 40% of residents live in informal housing, lacking basic amenities (UN Habitat, 2023)

• Health

  • Open drains and poor sanitation lead to diseases like cholera and typhoid

• Employment

  • Many jobs are insecure and poorly paid in the informal sector

• Transport

  • Congested roads and overcrowded trains cause long commutes

• Waste

  • Over 7,000 tonnes of waste are produced daily, much of it dumped in open landfills (The Guardian, 2023)

Sydney

• Housing costs

  • Average house prices exceed £600,000, making it one of the world’s least affordable cities (Demographia, 2024)

• Urban sprawl

  • Expansion into rural areas threatens ecosystems and increases car dependency

• Transport

  • Congestion is common despite modern motorways and public transport

• Inequality

  • The gap between high-income and low-income suburbs is widening

• Environmental pressure

  • High energy use and waste generation increase carbon emissions)