Topic 3: 3.1 The world is becoming increasingly urbanised — Edexcel GCSE Geography B
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Topic 3: 3.1 The world is becoming increasingly urbanised explained
Topic 3: 3.1 The world is becoming increasingly urbanised covers 2 specification points, including A.
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Past (since 1980) and current global trends… and B. The global pattern of megacities (size,…. Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
a. Past (since 1980) and current global trends in urbanisation, how it varies between global regions, and future projections of global urbanisation.
This statement asks for past and current global urbanisation trends since 1980, regional variation, and future projections. Urbanisation means a rising share of people living in towns and cities, not just growth in urban populations. Use a chronological structure: a past point, a current point, then a projection, each with a named source. For example, UN estimates put the urban share near 55% in 2018, projected to reach about 68% by 2050. Compare regions: Europe and North America are already highly urbanised, while Africa and Asia are urbanising rapidly from lower bases. Link these patterns to causes such as rural-urban migration and natural increase.
b. The global pattern of megacities (size, location, growth rates) and how in many countries some urban areas have disproportionate economic and/or political influence (urban primacy).
This statement asks for the global pattern of megacities in terms of size, location and growth rates, and for urban primacy, where some urban areas hold disproportionate economic and/or political influence. The UN defines a megacity as an urban area of more than 10 million people. Describe size with named cities, location by region, and growth as change over time. Megacities cluster in Asia, with growing numbers in Africa and Latin America. For primacy, explain how a dominant city such as Bangkok in Thailand concentrates jobs, investment, government and services. Treat economic and political influence as separate points.
Your focus
- Explain the difference between urbanisation and urban population growth using a precise definition.
- Describe past, current and projected global urban shares with dates and a named source.
- Compare urbanisation in at least two world regions and explain one cause for each difference.
Show all 6 objectives
- Define a megacity using the 10 million threshold and classify named cities against it.
- Describe the size, location and growth rates of megacities using named examples.
- Explain urban primacy with reference to economic and political influence in a named country.
Topic 3: 3.1 The world is becoming increasingly urbanised exam tips
Marking Points
- Defines urbanisation as the proportion of the population living in urban areas, distinct from urban population growth.
- Gives a past figure dated after 1980 and a current figure for the global urban share, with a source.
- Describes a projected future urban share with a stated date and source.
- Compares at least two world regions and explains why their urban shares or rates of change differ.
- Links regional trends to causes such as rural-urban migration and natural increase.
- Defines a megacity as an urban area of more than 10 million people, consistent with UN usage.
- Describes size using named cities and approximate populations.
- Places megacities by world region, noting concentration in Asia and growing numbers in Africa and Latin America.
- Explains growth rates as change over time and links faster growth to particular regions or income groups.
- Explains urban primacy as a largest city holding disproportionate economic or political influence, supported by a named example.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Structure the answer in time order (past, current, future) so every part of the statement is visibly addressed.
- 💡Quote one or two dated figures from a named source, such as the UN, and check each figure against its date.
- 💡Use a regional comparison with a named region in each part, then give one cause for each contrast.
- 💡Organise the answer around the three megacity characteristics (size, location, growth rate) before turning to primacy.
- 💡Use one named megacity and one named primate city as examples, and state the influence each one holds.
- 💡Keep economic and political influence separate in your explanation, then state whether they coincide in the example.
Common Mistakes
- Treats urban population growth as urbanisation; correct this by measuring the share of people living in urban areas.
- Describes all regions as following one pattern; compare regions at different stages of urbanisation.
- Covers the past and present but omits the future projection; add a dated projection with its source.
- Counts any large city as a megacity; apply the 10 million threshold before classifying a city.
- Confuses megacity size with growth rate; state each characteristic separately and support it with evidence.
- Uses primacy to mean any capital city; explain influence that is disproportionate relative to other cities in the country.