Towns and cities in LEDCs are growing rapidly, and an increasing proportion of

people are living in cities. LEDCs are going through a period of urban growth and

urbanisation.

Your case study will either be Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo

Rapid population growth in LEDCs

Cities in LEDCs are growing due to:

- A high birth rate

- A low death rate

- Migration to the cities

Migration to the cities

The population growth in LEDCs is affecting both rural and urban areas. The population of cities is growing proportionally faster than that in the rural areas

Push and Pull factors…..

Migration to cities….

Push Factors Pull Factors

A poor chance of getting a job

Difficulty of getting sufficient land for any kind of successful farming

Near starvation as crops fail

Increasing soil erosion as a result of over grazing

Basic lack of services – medical, educational, water, sanitation, transport etc

Natural disasters such as drought or flooding

Better paid factory work

Better and more varied food supplies

Better housing with electricity and piped water, sewerage etc

Better medical care – chance of better schooling etc

More entertainments and a ‘better’ lifestyle

The effects of rapid growth

• Increased air pollution from industries and traffic• A severe shortage of land and very high land

prices – especially anywhere that is near to the city

• A severe lack of housing – development of favelas on the outskirts of the city.

• Lack of employment – most people living favelas are employed in the ‘informal sector’

Solutions to the problem…

Low cost housing schemes

Self-help schemes New town - Barra

Using cheap but permanent building materials, temporary structures are replaced by sturdy permanent houses. These are connected to electricity and sewerage facilities. The local authority will start the process off and then the tenants finish off the building and pay a low rent to live in them – not everyone can afford this.

In this scheme the eventual cost of the housing is made even cheaper by encouraging locals to undertake most of the work themselves. The local authority simply provide the materials and may provide the ground work for the drainage and sewage systems

Barra is a purpose built town just outside of Rio de Janeiro built to relieve pressure on the city. Many of the residents of Rio have moved there to escape the traffic, pollution and cramped conditions. This is only available to those who can afford the rent or cost of buying in the city – it doesn’t help people living in the favelas.