Question 1: Define 'urbanization'.

Answer: Urbanization is the process by which increasing proportions of a population live in cities and suburbs, often resulting from rural-urban migration.

Question 2: What is 'sustainable urban development'?

Answer: Sustainable urban development refers to designing cities to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, focusing on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Question 3: Explain 'urban sprawl'.

Answer: Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, characterized by low-density development.

Question 4: Define 'megacity'.

Answer: A megacity is a metropolitan area with a population of over 10 million people.

Question 5: What is 'social inequality' in urban contexts?

Answer: Social inequality refers to disparities in wealth, access to services, and living conditions among urban populations.

Question 1: Which city is often cited as an example of extreme urban growth due to rural-urban migration in Africa?

Answer: Lagos

Question 2: Name two environmental issues commonly associated with rapidly growing cities like Mumbai and Cairo.

Answer: Air pollution and water scarcity.

Question 3: What term describes the expansion of a city into outlying rural or undeveloped land?

Answer: Urban sprawl

Question 4: Identify one major social challenge faced by informal settlements such as Dharavi in Mumbai.

Answer: Inadequate housing and access to sanitation.

Question 5: Describe the demographic trend leading to megacity formation.

Answer: High rates of rural-urban migration and natural population growth contribute to the development of megacities.

Question 1: Based on the case study of Lagos, identify two primary causes of its rapid population growth.

Answer: Rural-urban migration and high birth rates.

Question 2: Explain three challenges Lagos faces as a result of urban growth, using specific examples from the case study.

Answer: Lagos faces traffic congestion due to inadequate infrastructure, pollution from industries and vehicles, and housing shortages leading to sprawling informal settlements like Makoko. These issues strain services and reduce quality of life.

Question 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of recent urban planning initiatives in Lagos aimed at improving transportation and housing.

Answer: Recent initiatives such as the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and slum upgrading projects have improved mobility and living conditions. However, challenges remain due to rapid population growth, limited funding, and governance issues, making these strategies only partially successful.

Question 4: Using Lagos as an example, discuss how informal settlements contribute to urban challenges and potential solutions.

Answer: Informal settlements like Makoko contribute to urban challenges such as poor sanitation, health risks, and inadequate infrastructure. Solutions include regularization of settlements, improved access to services, and integrating informal areas into formal urban planning.

Question 1: Explain why rapid urbanization often leads to increased air pollution in cities like Delhi and Beijing.

Answer: Rapid urbanization increases vehicle numbers, industrial activity, and energy consumption, leading to higher emissions of pollutants. Insufficient regulation and infrastructure contribute to worsening air quality.

Question 2: Analyze the causes of urban heat islands in large metropolitan areas.

Answer: Urban heat islands are caused by extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces that absorb heat, high population density, waste heat emissions from industries and vehicles, and limited green spaces.

Question 3: Explain how social inequality influences access to urban services in cities such as Rio de Janeiro.

Answer: Social inequality results in disparities in income and social status, affecting access to healthcare, education, and sanitation. Wealthier districts have better services, while favelas often lack basic amenities.

Question 1: To what extent have policies aimed at reducing urban pollution in cities like Los Angeles been successful? Discuss with reference to environmental and social impacts. (8-12 marks)

Answer: Policies such as emission controls, green transport initiatives, and pollution taxes have reduced air pollutants over time, improving air quality. However, challenges like traffic congestion and industrial emissions persist, and some policies face opposition or limited enforcement. Social impacts include improved health outcomes but also economic costs and disparities in policy benefits among different socio-economic groups.

Question 2: Evaluate the role of urban planning in addressing challenges of informal settlements, using examples from Mumbai or Nairobi.

Answer: Urban planning can improve living conditions through formalization, infrastructure upgrades, and access to services. In Mumbai, slum upgrading projects have reduced health hazards, but issues of land tenure and funding limit widespread success. Nairobi’s approach to integrating informal settlements into city development plans shows potential but faces obstacles like land disputes and governance challenges.