Glossary
Developing Countries
Nations that are in the process of industrializing and typically have lower average income levels, often facing significant challenges in providing adequate infrastructure and services.
Example:
Many developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid urbanization, leading to immense pressure on existing housing and services.
Economic Development
The process of improving a region's prosperity and the quality of life for its inhabitants, often through industrialization, increased income levels, and improved services.
Example:
Building new factories and improving trade routes can lead to significant economic development in a previously rural region, creating jobs and wealth.
Forward Capitals
A capital city that has been relocated to a new, often strategically chosen, location to achieve specific national objectives, such as easing overcrowding in a primate city or promoting regional development.
Example:
Pakistan moved its capital from Karachi to Islamabad, establishing a forward capital to better integrate different regions and symbolize national unity.
Infrastructure
The fundamental physical systems and services that support daily life and economic activity in cities, including transportation networks, utilities, and public facilities.
Example:
A city's new high-speed rail system is a major investment in its infrastructure, allowing commuters to travel quickly across the metropolitan area.
Metropolises
Large, influential cities that serve as significant economic, political, and cultural centers within a region or country, often forming the core of a larger urban area.
Example:
Tokyo, New York, and London are considered global metropolises due to their immense size, economic power, and international connectivity.
Primate City
A country's largest city that is significantly larger and more dominant than any other city in the country, often serving as the economic, political, and cultural center.
Example:
London is a classic example of a primate city in the United Kingdom, dwarfing all other British cities in terms of population, economic activity, and cultural influence.
Public Transportation
Systems of transport, such as subways, buses, and trains, that are available for use by the general public, vital for city connectivity and efficiency.
Example:
Many residents in New York City rely on the extensive subway system for their daily commute, making public transportation a cornerstone of urban mobility.
Spatial Patterns
The arrangement of features on the Earth's surface, describing how phenomena are distributed, organized, or clustered in an area.
Example:
Geographers study the spatial patterns of retail stores in a city to understand why certain types of shops cluster in specific neighborhoods.
Squatter Settlements
Informal housing areas, often found on the outskirts of cities in developing countries, characterized by a lack of legal land title, basic services, and planned infrastructure.
Example:
In Rio de Janeiro, squatter settlements known as favelas cling to hillsides, illustrating the challenges of rapid, unplanned urban growth.
Urbanization
The process by which an increasing proportion of a population lives in cities and suburbs, leading to the growth and expansion of urban areas.
Example:
The rapid urbanization of China over the past few decades has led to the construction of numerous megacities and massive infrastructure projects to accommodate new residents.