IGCSE Geography / Urban environments

Urbanisation around the world revision notes

Edexcel International GCSE Geography (4GE1), chapter 6: Urban environments, specification point 6.1a, 6.S1. Free lesson.

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Urbanisation is the rise in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. Its rate varies between world regions, and map descriptions should use place names and figures without giving reasons.

What urbanisation means

Urbanisation is a rise in the proportion or percentage of people living in urban areas, meaning towns and cities. A city getting bigger is called urban growth, which is different. The world’s urban share has risen over time. In 1950, about 30% of people lived in urban areas. In 2007, the share passed 50%, so more people lived in towns and cities than outside them. By 2025, it had reached 58%. These figures use national definitions because each country decides what counts as a town. Rural means living in the countryside.

How urbanisation differs between regions

Regional figures show that places did not all begin at the same level or change at the same speed. Developed regions were already highly urban in 1970, so their rises were slower. Asia and Africa started lower and rose faster. Europe rose from 63% urban in 1970 to 75% in 2018. Northern America rose from 74% to 82%, a small change. Latin America rose from 57% to 81%, making it as urban as the developed regions by 2018. Asia rose from 24% to 50%, about doubling its urban share. Africa rose from 23% to 43%. It remained the least urban region, but was urbanising fast.

How to describe the pattern on a world map

Darker shading means a higher percentage of people living in urban areas. To describe the pattern, name regions and quote figures from the map key. Include the most urban and least urban areas, and use compass directions when the map supports them. Northern America is highly urban, at about 82%. Latin America is similarly high, at about 81%. Together, the Americas are highly urban. Europe is also highly urban, at about 75%. Africa is the least urban continent, at about 43%. Asia is in between, at about 50%. If a country is darker or paler than its neighbours, name it as an exception. A…

How to compare two regional trends

A comparison should state which region changed faster and support the comparison with figures for both regions. Both places may have become more urban, but their rates of change can differ.

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