Changes in the growth and distribution of the world's major urban centres between 1950 and 2000 and the consequences of these changes

Oct 27, 2024

The growth and distribution of the world's major urban centres underwent significant changes between 1950 and 2000, characterised by rapid urbanisation and the emergence of megacities. This is an overview of the key changes and their underlying causes:

Growth of Urban Population

Between 1950 and 2000, there was a dramatic increase in global urban population:

In 1950, about 30% of the world's population lived in urban areas.
By 2000, this figure had risen to approximately 47%

This represents a nearly six-fold increase in the absolute number of urban dwellers, from 751 million in 1950 to about 2.9 billion in 2000

URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION TRENDS (UNDESA, 2014)

Emergence of Megacities

One of the most significant changes was the rise of megacities (urban areas with over 10 million inhabitants):

In 1950, there were only three megacities globally.
By 2000, this number had increased to 17

OLCreate: ContextEnvt_1.0 Study Session 5 Urbanisation: Trends, Causes ...

World Megacities (UNDESA, 2014)

Geographical Shift

The distribution of major urban centres shifted significantly:

In 1950, most large cities were in developed countries, particularly in Europe and North America.
By 2000, the majority of urban growth was occurring in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa

Factors Driving These Changes

Several factors contributed to these transformations:

Economic Transformation:

Industrialisation in developing countries drew people from rural areas to cities in search of employment opportunities.
The shift from agriculture to manufacturing and services concentrated economic activities in urban areas.
In emerging economies, new industrial growth "pulled" people from rural regions to urban areas with the promise of better jobs and living standards

Technological Advancements:

Improvements in transportation and communication made urban living more feasible and attractive.
Technological innovations, particularly in the post-WWII era, drove economic growth and urbanisation.

Population Growth:

Overall global population growth contributed to urban expansion.
Natural increase within cities (births exceeding deaths) accounted for about 60% of urban population growth.

Rural-Urban Migration:

Economic opportunities, better services, and potential higher living standards in cities attracted rural populations.
This economic pull was especially prominent in developing countries in South America, Africa, and Asia
Push factors like lack of resources in rural areas and pull factors of city opportunities drove mass rural-urban migration

Government Policies:

Many countries implemented policies promoting urban development and industrialisation.
Some cities were declared capital cities, spurring rapid growth (e.g., Brasilia in Brazil)

Globalisation:

Increased international trade and investment favoured urban centres, particularly in developing countries.
The emergence of global cities as centres of international finance and business drove further urbanisation

Regional Variations

The pace and nature of urbanisation varied across regions:

North America and Europe: Already highly urbanised by 1950, these regions saw slower urban growth.
Asia: Experienced rapid urbanisation, with countries like China and India seeing massive rural-to-urban migration.
Africa: While starting from a low base, African countries saw some of the highest rates of urban growth.
In some regions, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, colonial legacies continued to influence urban growth patterns
Latin America: Underwent significant urbanisation, with several countries becoming predominantly urban by 2000.

The period from 1950 to 2000 saw a dramatic shift in the world's urban landscape, characterised by rapid growth in urban populations, the emergence of megacities, and a geographical shift towards developing countries. This transformation was driven by a complex interplay of economic, technological, demographic, and policy factors.

The main problems arising from urban growth in developing countries include:

Inadequate infrastructure and basic services:

Rapid population growth strains the capacity of local governments to provide basic services like housing, water supply, sewerage, and solid waste disposal.
There is often insufficient investment in critical infrastructure such as transportation networks, schools, hospitals, and utilities.

Proliferation of slums and informal settlements:

About one-third of urban inhabitants in developing countries live in impoverished slums and squatter settlements.
Slum areas typically suffer from overcrowding, poor housing conditions, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, and inadequate infrastructure.

Environmental degradation:

Uncontrolled urban growth can lead to pollution, congestion, and increased pressure on natural resources like water.
Poor waste management practices, such as burning or dumping waste, can contaminate water sources and cause localised flooding.

Increased inequality and social exclusion:

Urban areas often have higher levels of inequality compared to rural areas.
Spatial segregation prevents certain neighbourhoods from accessing proper healthcare, education, employment opportunities, and adequate housing.

Health risks:

Overcrowding and poor sanitation in slums increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential for devastating spread of diseases in densely populated urban areas.

Social instability and crime:

Rapid urbanisation can lead to increased violence, crime, and social unrest, especially when combined with inequality and competition for scarce resources
Some cities in developing countries experience extremely high murder rates.

Vulnerability to climate change:

Poorly planned urban expansion can leave populations exposed to the effects of climate change, such as flooding and storm surges, especially in coastal cities.

Economic challenges:

Urban poverty can create a "vicious cycle" that makes it difficult for people to escape from poverty.
Rapid urbanisation can lead to property bubbles, enriching some while excluding others.

These problems are often interconnected and exacerbated by the speed of urbanisation, which challenges cities' capacity to plan and adapt effectively.

The main problems arising from urban growth in developed countries include:

Infrastructure strain:

Ageing infrastructure in many developed cities requires significant investment for upgrades and maintenance.
Rapid growth can outpace the capacity of existing infrastructure, leading to congestion and inefficiencies.

Housing affordability:

Urban growth often leads to increased property values and housing costs.
This can result in housing affordability crises, pushing lower-income residents to the periphery or out of the city entirely.

Social inequality:

Urban growth can exacerbate economic disparities between different neighbourhoods and social groups.
Gentrification can displace long-time residents from certain areas.

Environmental concerns:

Increased urbanisation can lead to higher pollution levels and greater environmental pressures.
Cities in developed countries often have higher per capita carbon footprints.

Transportation challenges:

Growing urban populations strain existing transportation systems, leading to increased congestion and longer commute times.
There's a need for significant investment in public transit and sustainable transportation options.

Urban sprawl:

Uncontrolled expansion of urban areas can lead to loss of green spaces and agricultural land.
Sprawl can increase car dependency and reduce the efficiency of public services.

Demographic shifts:

Aging populations in many developed countries pose challenges for urban planning and service provision.
Integration of diverse populations, including immigrants, can present social and cultural challenges.

Public service demands:

Growing urban populations increase the demand for public services like healthcare, education, and social support.
Meeting these demands can strain city budgets and resources.

Climate change vulnerability:

Many large cities in developed countries are coastal and face increased risks from rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Governance challenges:

Rapid growth can outpace the ability of local governments to effectively plan and manage urban development.
There's often a need for better coordination between different levels of government and across metropolitan regions.

While these issues are generally less severe than in developing countries, they still present significant challenges for urban planners and policymakers in developed nations.