Rapid urbanization in poorer parts of the world leads to several environmental problems related to waste disposal, air pollution, and water pollution. Cities produce large amounts of waste but poorer countries lack the funds and infrastructure to dispose of it properly. Much of the waste is toxic but remains untreated, threatening public health. Air and water resources are also impacted by pollution from industry and traffic without adequate regulations. Waste pickers, including children, search through garbage for items to resell but face health risks from toxic materials. Overall, the scale of waste problems outpaces solutions in less developed countries experiencing fast urban growth.

1. What are the problems of rapid urbanisation in poorer parts of the world?

2. Syllabus Key idea: Rapid urbanisation in a poorer part of the world requires the management of the environmental problems caused. Specification content: Difficulties of disposal of waste, much of which is toxic. Effects and management of air and water pollution.

3. Learning outcomes… All will understand that rapidly expanding cities produce large amounts of waste, of varying sorts. Most will understand that there are a variety of ways to try to deal with this waste. Some will understand that some ways of dealing with waste are more sustainable than others.

4. References AQA A pg 210 – 212 CGP pg 91

5. Jakarta, Indonesia What problem (linked to rapid urbanisation) is shown?

6. Problems of rapid urbanisation Expanding cities and industrialisation can lead to problems of air and water pollution and disposal of waste. Waste disposal – people in cities create a lot of waste. This can damage people’s health and the environment, especially if toxic and not disposed of properly. Air pollution – burning fossil fuels, exhausts and factories Water pollution – sewage and toxic chemicals from industry can get into rivers and streams. Non-existent or poor regulations and a lack of planning for an environmental emergency make problems worse

7. Waste disposal (1) In richer countries, waste is disposed of by: burying it in landfill sites burning it recycling schemes Poorer countries struggle to dispose of the large amount of waste created by rapid urbanisation because of: Money – simply cant afford to dispose of waste safely – money is needed for more urgent problems e.g. health care Infrastructure – poorer countries don’t have the infrastructure needed e.g. poor road sin squatter settlements mean waste disposal lorries can’t get in to remove rubbish. Scale – the problem is HUGE

8. Waste disposal (2) Waste provides a resource and a means of making a living for many shanty dwellers in poor countries Children and adults scavenge and extract materials and then reuse or resell them. Car tyres may be made into sandals Food waste is fed to animals or used as a fertiliser on vegetable plots Toxic waste and its safe disposal is a key issue in areas where the manufacturing industry is increasing.

9. Electronic waste … Creation of electronic waste is another major problem in a rapidly industrialising country like India In the cities, India’s poor scrape a living by breaking down PCs and monitors. They boil, crush or burn parts in order to extract valuable materials like gold or platinum. What they don’t realise is that the toxic chemicals inside like cadmium and lead can pose serious health risks. India’s hospitals are starting to see patients with 10 x the expected level of lead in their blood. Dumping and unsupervised recycling of e-waste is literally leading to a brain drain

10. What happens to some recycled waste? (3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4r3krs8eEY Britain gives China a toxic shock Sky news 25.11.06 http://news.sky.com/skynews/video Blood sweat and luxuries

11. Your task… Use AQA A book p210 (2nd paragraph) and p211 to make a poster or leaflet to show the issues of waste disposal in LEDC cities. Include: Why waste is a problem What kinds of waste Give some facts and figures about amount of waste What are the dangers for people who try to make a living from waste in LEDC cities What is being done about the problem How successful are these measures?