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).