Using examples, evaluate the relationship between economic development and urbanisation (10)

Using examples, evaluate the relationship between economic development and urbanisation (10)

The relationship is not straightforward. At a global scale, rapid urbanisation has occurred over the last 50 years. 50% of the world population lives in towns and cities; over 20% of the population live in cities over one million. The most urbanised continents are Europe, North America, South America and Oceania (mostly developed); the least urbanised are Asia and Africa (mostly developing). However, in terms of urban growth, the number of urban dwellers is by far the largest in Asia, with 1.6 billion people living in towns and cities, which is over 40% of the population. 

Urbanisation is increasing most rapidly in Africa and Asia- economically developing areas. This trend is expected to continue, so that by 2025, almost half the population of these continents will live in urban areas and 80% of urban dwellers will be in these areas of the world, most of which are currently developing. However, a consequence of the most rapid economic development that is taking place in most parts of China, India and south east Asia is that the level of urbanisation is increasing very rapidly. Rates of economic development and rates of urbanisation are rising simultaneously in these countries. 

Large cities, mostly in developing nations, have been faced with problems, which include inadequate infrastructure (housing, sewage and water supply) and lack of employment are rooted in their explosive population growth over the last 4 decades; a growth so rapid that it outstrips the resources or urban authorities to provide even the most basic needs to millions of their citizens. The result is poverty on an unimaginable scale. 

Although world cities also suffers problems of pollution, unemployment and housing shortages, their scale and severity is much smaller than in mega cities in the developing world. Ironically, world cities face challenges due to their success in the international economy. Most obvious one being, the growing income inequality between the minority of workers engaged in the global service economy and the majority who are excluded. The outcome has been the emergence of 'cities within cities'.

COMMENT FROM ME: Again, I don't see how it answers the question entirely, but this is taken directly from the mark scheme, it makes more sense than my previous post though, I will give it that. Happy revising! :-)