A-level Geography/AS OCR Geography/Urbanisation in LEDCs

Since the 1950's the majority of LEDCs have been transformed from Rural to Urban societies. Many have switched from supporting themselves through agriculture to earning a wage from factory work or service job.

This was a typical social/economical upheaval in the 20th century.

Urbanisation in MEDC has slowed whereas in LEDCs it has increased dramatically. However this is not true everywhere. For example in 1980 - Latin America slowed down, yet Asia and Africas urbanisation continued.

Big megacities in LEDCs are São Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City, Mexico.

Causes of Urbanisation in LEDC

  1. Rapid populational growth, for example, in 1950, Kenya had a population of 5.4 million, by 1995 it had risen to 28.3 million.
  2. Modernisation of technology, in agriculture, this signifies that fewer workers were needed on the farms, leading many to move to the cities in search of opportunities.
  3. General pull factors for LEDC Cities. Cities provided a chance for higher standard of living, more and better job opportunities, easier access to services and infrastructures (entertainment, health and transportation for instance).