Opportunities of urban living (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Opportunities of urban living

• Urban life offers many opportunities for work, connecting with others, and enjoying culture

• When cities are densely populated, governments have to support their residents

  • They build, upgrade or renovate hospitals, schools, and roads

  • These developments provide improved education, health, and work possibilities

  • As cities become more populated, investments in recreation services and cultural events may increase

  • Therefore, urban economic growth creates an upward spiral called the multiplier effect

• Cities usually offer a wider selection of housing options, both in terms of quality and quantity than rural areas

  • This means that people from different income levels can find a place to live in the city

• Economic development creates more jobs, brings together markets, and speeds up trade, which helps boost production and services in busy city areas

  • Cities are where finance and retail come together

• With increased wealth people usually have more disposable incomes

  • This allows urban residents to buy a greater variety of goods and services

• Urban areas offer more opportunities and a wider range of job options for people with different skill levels

  • This means there are jobs that require different skill levels, both in formal and informal settings

• Access to health and education services is usually better in urban areas

  • There are usually more hospitals and schools which are easier to get to

• Major cities and towns have easier to access services, such as:

  • Electricity, piped water, clean drinking water, internet

  • Transport options are well-developed and frequently get funding for updates

    • Making it easier and faster to get from place to place in a city or town

• Leisure and entertainment facilities are easily accessible

  • There are more clubs, restaurants, and cinemas in cities

  • New attractions usually debut in a city before they do anywhere else

• Cities are often melting pots of different cultures and backgrounds

  • This diversity shows up in a wider variety of restaurants, cultural spots, and entertainment venues

  • This helps people to appreciation and understand different cultures, allowing for interaction, learning, and new viewpoints