Rapid urbanization is occurring in cities in LEDCs due to rural-urban migration driven by push and pull factors. This results in several problems including overcrowded slums/shanty towns with poor infrastructure, high unemployment, and environmental issues. In Rio de Janeiro, rapid population growth from natural increase and migration has contributed to housing shortages, inadequate employment, and sanitation problems. Solutions implemented in favelas like Rocinha include self-help housing schemes providing materials for residents to upgrade dwellings and improving basic services.

1. Urbanisation in LEDCs
Causes, problems,
solutions & Case Study
of Rio de Janiero

2. Study the table.
Which parts of the world are experiencing the most
rapid growth in their populations?
What is urbanisation?
% 1950 1990 2001 2025
World
MEDC
LEDC
The world is becoming mostly urban.
58
83
56
30
53
17
45
74
34
48
76
41

3. Where are the world’s largest cities?
There are 17 megacities in the world – these are cities with a
population of over 10 million. These are shown on the map below.
The United Nations estimate that by 2015 the number of megacities will
have increased to 21!
Describe the distribution of megacities in 2000.
How does this compare to 2015?
new megacities are shown in orange

4. Urbanisation is taking
place at a rapid pace in
LEDC cities. This is as a
result of a process called
rural-urban migration.

5. What is rural-urban migration?
• Rural-urban migration is the movement of people from
the countryside to the city.
• This causes three things to happen:
Urban growth - towns and cities are expanding,
covering a greater area of land.
Urbanisation - an increasing proportion of people
living in towns and cities.
Mega cities - those with over 10 million people.
• People are attracted to urban areas because they think
that, they will have greater opportunities there. For
many, life, is better but some end up in poverty.

6. Rural-urban migration happens as a result of push and
pull factors.

7. B
C
Where in the world…
Imagine you are a migrant in Brazil. Put the following statements in the appropriate circle on
the Venn diagram.
1. I have come from here. 2. I will be able to get better medical treatment.
3. I am most likely to end up living here. 4. Other people like me are likely to be living here.
5. I am least likely to get a job here. 6. I am most likely to work the longest hours here.
7. I am likely to be happy here. 8. My family are likely to be here.
9. The living conditions are going to be the best. 10. I am most likely to get a job here.
11. I am most likely to be able to go to school here. 12. I hope to end up living here.
A

8. Problems faced in LEDC cities as
a result of rapid urbanisation
1. Poor electricity and power supplies
2. Pollution
3. Lack of clean water
4. Few employment opportunities
5. Traffic problems
6. Poverty
7. Drugs, gangs and violence
8. Poor education and health provision
9. Poor sewerage systems
10. Poor rubbish collection
11. Lack of shelter

9. Sort the problems caused by urban growth and development of
shanty towns into social, environmental & economic.
Traffic Congestion as
cars/buses/rickshaws/a
nimals all share same
roads
Health Problems EG
Asthma & Bronchitis
caused by pollution
Break up of
families
Air pollution/Smog
from car fumes and
factories
Unemployment as
there are few
jobs in formal
sector.
As shanty towns are
built agricultural
land/woodland is
destroyed.
Underground water
supplies being lost.
Poverty
Rural migrants
can’t find jobs
because they are
often illiterate
or non-skilled so
the informal
sector grows. Wages are low paid and
workers are exploited.
Up to 50% of the population live in
Shanty towns
Shanty towns are built on poor
quality or unsafe land so are
prone to
flooding/landslides/fires
Shanty towns are illegal
Overcrowding
Poor quality building
materials and a lack of
basic amenities eg
running water/toilets in
shanty towns
Sewage on streets
leads to water borne
disease such as
cholera/diarrhoea
Disease spreads quickly
because of high density
housing.
High Infant mortality rates
Malnutrition
Increase in crime
More street
children
High birth rates
Water pollution –
rivers/seas used as
dustbins

10. Shanty Towns
One problem in LEDC cities is the growth of
Shanty Towns.
A shanty town is a spontaneous settlement
that is often built illegally on unused land
along roadsides or on the edge of a city.
In Brazil they are called FAVELAS

11. Problems/Characteristics of Shanty
Towns
HOUSING
is often a collection of
primitive shacks made from
any available material. Most
houses lack such basic
amenities as electricity, gas,
running water and sewerage.
No refuse collection.
HEALTH
lack of clean water, no disposal
of human waste and rubbish
lead to disease. Can't afford
doctors.
EDUCATION
is limited as there are very few
schools. Many, even by the age
of 6, are trying to earn some
money.
TRANSPORT
earth tracks that often just fill
up with rubbish. Few public
transport systems.
SOCIAL
is under constant threat. The
factors listed above can lead to
break down of marriages.
Increase in crime and ‘street
children’.

12. Improving Shanty Towns
Although most governments would like to remove shanty towns from their
cities, they cannot afford to build the necessary replacement
accommodation.
Two government-assisted schemes in Brazil aimed at improving the quality
of life in the shantytowns are:
Low-cost Improvements
Existing housing is improved by re-building with cheap, quick and easy to
use breezeblocks. A tank of water on the roof collects rainwater.
Electricity and sewerage may by added. Most people who live in these will
have some sort of employment so that they can pay low rents.
Self-help schemes
Groups of people are encouraged to help build their new homes. Each group
will do basic work such as digging the ditches to take the water and
sewerage pipes. The local authority will then provide breezeblocks and
roofing tiles, and the group will provide the labour. The advantages of this
is that it can be done in stages and create a community spirit.

13. The government puts in basic services such as clean
water and sewerage and provides building materials, such
as breezeblocks. The families then get together and help
build the homes (Some being trained as plumbers, some
electricians and so on.) This means that the buildings are
relatively cheep, hygienic and creates good community
spirit.

14. Case Study - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is a city located on Brazil's south-east
coast.
It is one of Brazil's largest settlements with a population
of approximately 11.7 million people.
The population of Rio de Janeiro has grown for a number
of reasons. Natural Increase is one reason for its growth
(this is when the birth rate is higher than the death rate).
The population has also grown as the result of
urbanisation. 65% of urban growth is a result of migration.

15. What are the impacts of rapid urban
growth for Rio?
• Housing pressures (growth of favelas such as Rocinha. 40%
live in Favelas)
• Lack of employment means people are looking for other ways
to earn money many will work in the informal sector e.g.
porters, shoe shiners this is employment for half the city’s
work force
• Transport problems – congestion and pollution
• Sanitation and Health (sewage, waste disposal, disease)
• Problems of energy supply
• Increased demand for services (schools and Hospitals)
• Social problems (crime, Rio murder capital of world)
• Urban sprawl
• Shanty towns are built on unstable land of poor materials–
risk of landslides & fires.

16. Example of a Favela: Rocinha
• Rocinha is the largest favela in Brazil.
• It is located in the southern zone of the
city.
• It is built on a steep hillside overlooking
the city, just one kilometer from the
beach.
• It is home to between 60,000 to 150,000
people (though this could be more).

17. Solutions to problems in Rocinha

18. Self-help schemes - Rocinha,
Favela Bairro Project
1. The authorities in Rio de Janeiro have taken a number of steps to
reduce problems in favelas.
2. They have set up self-help schemes. This is when the local authority
provide local residents with the materials needs to construct
permanent accommodation. This includes breeze blocks and cement.
The local residents provide the labour. The money saved can be spent
on providing basic amenities such as electricity and water.
Today, almost all the houses in Rocinha are made from concrete and
brick.
3. Some buildings are three and four stories tall and almost all houses
have basic sanitation, plumbing, and electricity.
4. Compared to simple shanty towns or slums, Rocinha has a better
developed infrastructure and hundreds of businesses such as banks,
drug stores, bus lines, cable television, including locally based channel
TV ROC, and, at one time, even a McDonalds franchise, though it has
since closed.

19. What are the sustainable solutions
to other problems in Rio?
• Forced evictions of squatter settlements – To clear land for formal
development
• Low cost housing – Very basic breeze block housing constructed.
People re-housed in them. City of God
• Site and Service – Land is cleared and building plots prepared with
water and electricity.
• Self Help Scheme – Existing settlements provided with water,
sewage and rubbish collection. Building materials provided for
residents to upgrade their homes (Favela Barrio Plan)
• Rural Development – To reduce rural to urban migration
• Increasing policing - to stop new squatter settlement
• Raise taxes - on the rich to pay for improving housing for the poor
• Local initiatives – such as Afro-Reggae using music and culture to
keep kids away from crime and drugs

20. Task – Complete the concept map to help your revision.

21. Differences in land use?
Exam
Question
Compare the
model of
landuse in an
LEDC and
MEDC city.
MEDC
LEDC

25. In cities in both MEDCs and LEDCs there is a CBD
usually near the centre of the city. The poorer part of
the MEDC city is the inner city and the zone of
transition, which are close to the CBD. In an LEDC
city the poorest people live in shanty towns
(favela’s). Many of these are on the outskirts of the
city but others are found near transport routes or
where there are unfavourable physical sites such as
steep slopes.