∎ English for Academic Purposes

∎IAE Midterm Pre-Reading–FA19

Urbanisation IAE Pre-Preading: Midterm Exam

The term urbanisation began appearing in print as far

back as the 1880s, demonstrating that it is not a modern

phenomenon. It can be defined as ‘a population shift

from rural to urban areas’.

Urbanisation began during the industrial revolution, when workers moved towards

manufacturing centres in cities. As agricultural jobs became less common with the introduction

of new machines, people migrated to cities in search of work. This migration still happens

today, especially in developing countries.

Many people move into cities for the economic opportunities. Businesses, which provide

employment, are more concentrated in urban areas. In cities, money, services, wealth and

opportunities are centralised. Therefore, living in the city can provide many advantages.

However, there may be stress, increased cost of living and social isolation too.

In some parts of the world, the rural poor may have little power or employment opportunities.

They are often forced to migrate to cities, just as people did in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Unplanned migration often leads to the growth of slums and mega-slums; areas of

overcrowded and squalid conditions, where there is generally a lack of sanitation. While some

countries have reduced the number of people living in slums, in other regions numbers have

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∎ English for Academic Purposes

∎IAE Midterm Pre-Reading–FA19

grown because of population increases. Africa now has the highest rate of slum dwellers in the

world.

Critics of unplanned migration and unplanned cities say that sustainable urbanisation is

possible. They say that one of the positive effects to come out of urban growth is attention to

more creative urban planning and the use of technology to improve living standards in cities.

Important Vocabulary:

1. Dwellers (noun)A person that lives in a specified place.

2. Mega-slums (noun) (Mega = huge) Clusters of slums that add up to a huge area.

3. Migrate (verb) to move.

4. Slums (noun) Overcrowded, dirty urban area inhabited by poor people living in substandard housing.

5. Squalid (adj)Extremely dirty and unpleasant.

6. Sustainable (adj)Able to be kept at a steady level.

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