A-Level Geography Revision — Urban Systems: Global Urbanisation & Future Cities
Revise Urban Systems: Global Urbanisation & Future Cities for A-Level Geography with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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- Urban Systems: Global Urbanisation & Future Cities in A-Level Geography: explanation, examples, and practice links on this page.
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What is Urban Systems: Global Urbanisation & Future Cities?
This topic examines the process of urbanisation and its impact on people and the environment. It investigates the patterns and trends in global urbanisation, and the characteristics of different types of urban area, from megacities to smaller towns. The topic also explores the challenges and opportunities of living in cities, and the different approaches to creating more sustainable and resilient cities for the future.
Board notes: Covered by AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. AQA has a focus on the concept of urban resilience. Edexcel requires students to have a detailed case study of a megacity in a developing country. OCR often includes questions on the challenges of urbanisation in different parts of the world.
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
When asked to 'assess the success of a strategy to improve the sustainability of a city', a student should choose a specific strategy in a named city, for example the congestion charge in London. They should evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the strategy, considering both the intended and unintended consequences. The answer should be supported by data and conclude with a justified judgement on the overall success of the strategy.
Practise this topic
Start with low-focus cards for Urban Systems: Global Urbanisation & Future Cities, then move into full exam-style practice when you want the heavier session.
Common mistakes
- 1Confusing the terms 'urbanisation' and 'urban growth'.
- 2Not being able to provide specific examples of urban challenges and solutions in contrasting cities.
- 3Describing the features of a sustainable city without considering the challenges of implementation.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a megacity?
A megacity is a very large city, typically with a population of over 10 million people. The number of megacities has grown rapidly in recent decades, particularly in developing countries.
What is a smart city?
A smart city is a city that uses technology to improve the quality of life for its citizens and the efficiency of its services. This can include things like smart transport systems, smart energy grids, and smart healthcare.