GEO 702 Chapter Notes -Ecological Footprint, Smart Growth, Pollution Prevention
11 Oct 2014
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Document Summary
In 2012, 51% of the world"s population lived in urban areas. Urbanization is the process that, since the 1950s, has seen the dramatic growth of urban areas. Urban area (city) is an area having a certain (varying depending on the country) total population with a relatively high density of people and human-built structures. Rural area is any area that is not classified as an urban area. Current trends: urbanization continues to increase dramatically, most urban growth is taking place in the cities of less-developed countries, the number of large urban areas across the world is growing. Urbanization benefits: employment, education, entertainment, better health care, family planning and social services, better recycling programs and mass transit. Urbanization drawbacks: high ecological footprint (high levels of pollution and waste, sprawl, traffic congestion, resource depletion, high levels of poverty. Urban sprawl: the spreading of low-density housing & other forms of development around city centres.
