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urbanisation smart cities

A LevelGlobal Perspectives & Research~4 min read

Overview

This lesson explores the interconnected phenomena of urbanisation and the emergence of smart cities, examining their drivers, impacts, and the challenges and opportunities they present globally. We will delve into how technological advancements are shaping urban development and the implications for sustainability, governance, and quality of life.

Understanding Urbanisation: Drivers and Impacts

Urbanisation is a global trend, driven by a complex interplay of factors. **Push factors** include rural poverty, lack of employment opportunities in agriculture, and limited access to services like healthcare and education in rural areas. **Pull factors** include the perceived economic opportunitie...

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Key Concepts

  • Urbanisation: The process by which an increasing proportion of a country's population comes to live in urban areas.
  • Megacity: An urban area with a population of over 10 million people.
  • Smart City: An urban area that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to enhance liveability, workability, and sustainability.
  • Digital Divide: The gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not.
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Exam Tips

  • When discussing urbanisation, ensure you differentiate between 'push' and 'pull' factors and their varied impacts (economic, social, environmental).
  • For smart cities, be prepared to discuss both the benefits (efficiency, quality of life, sustainability) and the challenges (privacy, digital divide, cost, security) with specific examples.
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