New
New
Global trends in urbanisation
I can analyse global patterns in urbanisation.
Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Global trends in urbanisation
I can analyse global patterns in urbanisation.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The world is becoming increasingly urbanised.
- Trends in urbanisation (past, present and future) vary between global regions.
- Some urban areas have grown into megacities.
- Some urban areas have disproportionate economic and/or political influence.
Keywords
Urbanisation - an increase in the proportion of people that live in an urban area
Megacity - a city with a population of 10 million people or more
Urban primacy - when one city politically and/or economically dominates a country or region
Common misconception
The first cities to become megacities are now the largest global cities.
Most of the world's largest cities are relatively young megacities that have only grown to a significant size since 2000.
Plotting megacities on a map is a good opportunity to develop and revise students’ atlas skills.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main difference between urban and rural areas?
What is the main difference between urban and rural areas?
Urban areas have fewer services and less population
Rural areas are more densely populated than urban areas
Urban areas have less access to education than rural areas
Q2.What is urbanisation?
What is urbanisation?
The movement of people from cities to rural areas
The decline in population in urban areas
The process of building factories in rural areas
Q3.What is the main reason for population growth in many developing countries?
What is the main reason for population growth in many developing countries?
Low birth rates
High death rates
Increased migration to rural areas
Q4.Match the country with its income group:
Match the country with its income group:
Q5.What is the term for the movement of people from rural areas to cities?
What is the term for the movement of people from rural areas to cities?
Emigration
globalisation
Q6.Order the following cities by population, from largest to smallest:
Order the following cities by population, from largest to smallest:
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A is a city with a population of 10 million people or more.
A is a city with a population of 10 million people or more.
Q2.When one city politically and/or economically dominates a country or region it is known as urban...
When one city politically and/or economically dominates a country or region it is known as urban...
primark
pressure
Q3.What is one major cause of urbanisation in developing countries?
What is one major cause of urbanisation in developing countries?
Migration from urban areas to rural areas
Improved healthcare in rural areas
A decrease in agricultural production in cities
Q4.Which of the following statements is true about megacities?
Which of the following statements is true about megacities?
The first cities to become megacities are now the largest global cities.
Every country has a megacity.
