Analysis of 2007 Prelim Essay Questions – Urbanization
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Topic 1: Urbanization History and Related Processes
Question
Give the meaning of the term ‘counter-urbanization’. Explain why counter-urbanization occurs in economically more developed countries
(EMDCs).
Describe and account for the different forms of decentralization of population in cities of more developed countries (MDC).
Explain why some parts of the world experience low urban growth rates.
To what extent is finance the key to solving the urban problems caused by high rates of urbanization in ELDCs? Use examples to support
your answer.
Account for the rapid growth of cities in ELDCs.
Discuss the problems and consequences of the urbanization process in ELDCs.
Discuss the issues associated with social and ethnic segregation in EMDCS.
‘Urbanization typically focuses on the main or capital city.’ How far do you agree with this view?
The growth of the city centre is compromised as the trend of suburbanization and counter-urbanization continues. Evaluate this
statement with reference to examples you have studied.
Using examples from both developed and developing countries, explain the variations in the urbanization patterns of cities on a global
scale.
Briefly compare the rates of urbanization in less developed countries (LDCs) and developed countries (DCs) and suggest reasons for the
difference.
With reference to examples, explain the differences between the following terms: counter-urbanization, suburbanization and reurbanization.
With reference to examples, differentiate ‘counter-urbanization’, ‘suburbanization’ and ‘re-urbanization’.
What can be the likely causes of different rates of urbanization in EMDCs and ELDCs?
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Topic 2: Primate and Global Cities
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Question
Compare the reasons for the growth of primate cities in Less Developing Countries (LDCs) and Developed Countries (DCs).
Explain the term sustainable development.
Describe the differences between the terms “megacity”, “primate city” and “world cities”.
Briefly define the term ‘primate city’ and explain the characteristics of a primate city.
Explain why many countries are dominated by one or two large cities.
With reference to one country which is dominated by its largest city, assess the consequences of this dominance for the rest of the
country.
Assess the ability of large cities to cope with continuing population growth. Illustrate your answer with examples.
With reference to examples, discuss the factors which have given rise to primate cities in economically less developed countries (ELDCs).
What do you understand by the term ‘sustainable cities’? In what ways can cities be made more sustainable?
To what extent do you agree that urban primacy in the LDCs is a problem?
What are the reasons for the growth of primate cities?
With reference to examples, discuss the challenges that urban planners in megacities face.
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Topic 3: CBD Dynamics
Question
Evaluate the usefulness of Bid Rent Theory in explaining urban zoning.
Assess the consequences of change in the nature and extent of the Central Business District (CBD) in EMDCs.
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Topic 4: Influences on City and Urban Structure
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Question
With reference to an example or examples of urban settlements, assess the relative importance of the factors which have influenced the
urban structure.
With the help of located examples, assess the relative importance of the government in influencing the urban structure of cities.
Using examples, explain the influence of the global economy on urban structures.
With reference to an example or examples of urban settlements, assess the relative importance of the factors which have influenced the
urban structure.
Assess the relative importance of different factors that have influenced urban structure in a city you have studied.
How likely would wholly planned urban areas like Putrajaya, Malaysia and Brasilia, Brazil be able to avoid common problems that plague
other large cities today?
Topic 5: Housing
Question
The newspaper cutting in Fig 5 reported in January 2003 that residents of slums and shanty towns in Brazil were to gain property rights to
their illegally acquired homes. Describe other possible strategies to deal with rapidly growing residential areas in cities in ELDCs.
Evaluate the benefits and limitations of any two strategies, supporting your answer with examples.
Why are housing problems much easier to resolve in some areas than others? You must refer to specific examples where possible.
Assess the extent to which attempts to overcome the housing problems resulting from rapid urban growth in ELDCs have been successful.
How far do you agree that bottom-up approaches are always more effective than top-down approaches in solving housing problems in
less economically developed countries (LEDCs)?
How has the rapid population growth of cities in economically less developed countries (ELDCs) affected the pattern and nature of urban
residential land use?
To what extent is it true that spontaneous settlements (shanty towns and squatter settlements) are a sign of the failure of the urban
system?
Discuss the issue of homelessness in both the cities in the developed and developing countries. What specific measures have been taken
by the local authority to reduce the problems?
What are the reasons for the homelessness in both cities of the developed world (DCs) and cities of the less developed world (LDCs)?
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Topic 6: Transport
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Question
‘The growth of commuting is the main cause of traffic congestion in urban areas.’ Discuss the validity of this statement.
With the help of located examples, assess the success of different strategies in managing the city’s transport problems.
Compare the nature of the problems of urban transport which have arisen in EMDCs and ELDCs.
Assess the success of management strategies to reduce transport problems which have arisen in one or more urban areas.
Topic 7: Inner City Decline
Question
Discuss the reasons for and consequences of inner city decline.
With the help of located examples, assess the success of government efforts in re-imaging the central city.
Using an examples or examples of urban settlements, discuss the effectiveness of urban renewal strategies in resolving the problems
associated with the central and inner cities.
Using examples, examine the role of technological changes in bringing about decentralization in the central city.
With the help of located examples, assess the success of two or more different strategies for re-imaging the central city.
With the help of located examples, discuss two or more different strategies for re-imaging the central city.
With reference to examples from both developed and developing countries, explain the formation of the inner city.
With reference to one or more examples you have studied, describe the problems of the inner city and assess the extent to which
attempts to improve their inner city have been successful.
Describe and explain the reasons for the decline of transitional zones.
With the use of specific examples, assess the success of re-imaging of cities.
Decentralization of population and economic function in the central city has led to many consequences. Discuss.
Evaluate the economic, social and environmental consequences of decentralization in one or more cities you have studied.
To what extent do you agree that declined parts of the inner city should be regenerated?
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