What are the problems relevent to cities throughout the world
· Urban decay – oldest part of city – inner city/transition zone, old industrial areas and derelict dock areas
· Inadequate Road Systems and consequent traffic problems – traffic congestion in Cap Town
· Poor provision of public services – adequate supplies of drinkable water, effective waste disposal
· Uncontrolled expansion into unsuitable sites
· Effects of natural disasters – floods/earthquakes/drought/mudslides
Economic Problems
· Decline in inner city/ transition zone industries and consequent unemployment – move to the edge of city
· Decline in traditional manufacturing industries – new technologies and mechanization taking over
· Suburbanization of industries leads to conflict for land on edge (rural urban periphery) of cities – farm land/conservation land/recreational land vs industry
· Industrial growth and pollution – water pollution/air pollution – huge cost
Planning and Governmental Problems
· Administrative fragmentation – lack of decision making as too many and disjointed interest parties
· Tension between planners and entrepreneurs ( would like uncontrolled development)
· Social justice problems – decisions made on existing power and wealth with no regard for all communities
· Conflicting interest groups – genuine disagreements between parties – new development areas for high income ‘yuppies’ or low income workers
· Lack of service delivery - Inability of municipalities to provide basic services such as sanitation (clean drinking water, sewage/refuse disposal) and electricity.
Social problems
· In-equality - huge divide between rich and poor can lead to unrest
· Contrast between suburban growth (urban sprawl) and inner city decay
· Urbanization and problems relating to multi-cultural populations – ghetto formation
· Urbanization and housing shortages resulting in squatter settlements
· Immigrants form ghettos in inner city/transition zones
· Urbanization and Informal settlements/Shanty Towns
Developing world’s city problems different in scale and intensity because
· Urbanization occurring rapidly and on vast/massive scale
· Don’t have wealth or skilled labour to tackle problems efficiently or swiftly
· Lack of advanced technology and modern economic infrastructure to respond to crisis – famine/drought/flooding
· Lack of wealth and international power means LEDCs react according to the will of the investor and creditor nations and multi-national corporations
