World Cities
Outcomes:
Objectives:
ALL: Define a World city
Recognise what a World city is
Understand how urban populations are changing
MOST: Identify and explain the processes of
Urbanisation and Industrialisation
Consider where and why these changes are happening
SOME: Explain where in the World changes
are happening
What do you think we will cover in this topic?
Bullet point your ideas.
Definitions -
_______ represents the demographic
transition or change from rural areas
to urban areas. _______ is defined as
“the increasing proportion of people
that live in towns and cities” and can
be viewed at regional, national,
continental and International scales.
In 2010 a key date was passed, the World’s urban population passed 50% for the first time in
history The World Health Organisation of the UN estimate that “By 2030, 6 out of every 10 people will
live in a city, and by 2050, this proportion will increase to 7 out of 10 people.” This poses fundamental
questions and issues for the global population and its leaders, and this unit is designed to explore some
of those issues. This topic is called World cities, and it is important to distinguish between world cities,
millionaire cities and megacities;
Definitions – Millionaire and Mega Cities
Definitions – Millionaire and Mega Cities
Millionaire cities are those that have over a million residents.
This is different from Megacities which are far larger, they have at least 10 million
people. Some definitions also set a minimum level for population density (at least
2,000 persons/square km). In 1950 only 3 cities satisfied this definition – London, New
York and Tokyo, today this number is far greater.
The distinction between the 2 is simply based upon size, whereas World or global
cities are different.
Definitions – World Cities
Definitions – World Cities
World cities are those that exert a dominant influence over continental and
global economies and processes. This is INDEPENDENT of population size, as
world cities do not have to have huge populations (but usually do) to exert such a
huge influence. Indeed, a world city (also called global ity or world centre) is a
city generally considered to be an important node (FOCAL POINT) in the global
economic system such as London, New York and Tokyo.
Problems
There are problems with defining population size of cities, as it often depends
upon where researchers draw the boundary of the city. Do researchers count just
within the city boundaries, or do they count all of the suburbs, or do they also
count all of the surrounding satellite towns as well?
Cities of the world.
Patterns of world cities, millionaire cities
and megacities

1. In 1900 the world’s biggest cities were predominately in Europe and
North America

2. Today, the vast majority of the world’s biggest cities are found in
Asia, with megacities found on every continent

3. Asia also has the largest number of millionaire cities today, whilst
Europe and North America struggle to make it onto the largest cities list

4. The world cities have changed slightly but less than the location of
megacities. Despite dropping off the top ten list of most populous areas
London and Paris remain dominant world cities with huge influence over
European and world economies and politics.
Task

I would like you to find information which gives us data on the growing
amount of millionaire cities.

Graphs, maps, Google Earth plugins?

I would then like you to research information on mega cities.
How many are there?
Where are they?
Which are the fastest growing?
You will need to create an A4 Information sheet
Reasons
There are many reasons why some cities develop into major megacities, but not all megacities go on to dominate international markets
and politics so are not world cities. Factors pushing city growth and urbanisation;
1.
Changes in Natural Increase – cities tend to help to lower mortality rates as access to imported medical care and technology,
better access to food and improved sanitation bring down death rates. This means that birth rate can exceed death rates and
populations grow naturally.
2.
Push factors - agricultural change and revolution – to encourage megacity growth and the increase in urbanisation people often
have to move or migrate from rural areas to urban areas. In Britain we had an Agricultural revolution from 1750 to 1850 which forced
people from the land into newly emerging industries in rapidly growing cities.
3.
Cities are declared capital cities – Governments can change the capital city if they wish. Basilia in Brazil was declared capital in
1960 after being planned in 1956. It now has 2.5million inhabitants from nothing in the 1950s!
4.
Ports and trading cities – coastal locations are advantageous as they allowed increased global trade, Shenzhen became China's
first Special Enterprise Zones on its South East Coastline. Shenzhen's modern cityscape is the result of the vibrant economy made
possible by rapid foreign investment since the institution of the policy of "reform and opening" establishment of the SEZ in the late
1979, before which it was only a small village. Shenzhen is now considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and has a
population of over 10 million people.
5.
Colonial influences – colonial powers such as the UK and France created many urban areas, often in coastal areas as the sought to
exploit resources within their new territories. Lima was created by the Spanish in Peru, whilst Rio de Janeiro was established by the
Portuguese in Brazil.
6.
Economic reasons – TNCs and the global economy have focused production in urban areas, and this causes many cities to grow into
centres of production globally, that can be used to create wealth for governments and create import substitution of goods.
Mini-Plenary

Why aren't all Millionaire and Mega cities regarded as World cities?
What the spec says

The global pattern: Millionaire cities, mega cities and world cities.

Economic development and change related to urbanisation.
Plenary
http://www.jetpunk.com
/quizzes/biggest-worldcities-quiz.php