New
New
Year 8

Benefits of living in cities

I can identify the advantages of urban life.

New
New
Year 8

Benefits of living in cities

I can identify the advantages of urban life.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Cities provide a wider range of jobs, and more opportunities in healthcare and education.
  2. Urban areas are meeting places, reflecting diverse cultures and cultural richness.
  3. Cities have advanced infrastructure and services.
  4. Cities drive innovation and economic growth.
  5. Cities provide more business opportunities.

Keywords

  • Infrastructure - the systems like transport, water, and energy networks that support a city

  • Innovation - the creation of new ideas, products, or methods of production, often driven by city life

  • Culture - the customs, arts, and social life of different groups of people

Common misconception

Living in cities only means dealing with problems like noise and crowds.

While cities can have challenges like noise and crowds, they also offer many benefits such as better jobs, healthcare, education, cultural events, and opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Benefits of living in cities, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use examples from your local area like local transport systems, famous inventions, or cultural festivals to make these ideas concrete and memorable.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an urban area?

An area with lots of forests and farms
Correct answer: A place with high population and built-up environments
A natural area with little development
A small village in the countryside

Q2.
Cities usually have better access to jobs, education and .

Correct Answer: services, healthcare, transport

Q3.
Which of these is an example of city infrastructure?

A group of farmers
A local river
Correct answer: A public transport network
A festival

Q4.
A student says “All cities are overcrowded and polluted.” What’s a more accurate view?

Every city is clean
Cities are always empty
Correct answer: Conditions vary – some cities have better planning and cleaner environments
Cities are all exactly the same

Q5.
What is a key challenge of rapid urban growth?

More wildlife in cities
More open green space
Fewer schools and roads needed
Correct answer: Pressure on housing, transport and services

Q6.
Which of the following is a pull factor that attracts people to cities?

Natural disasters
Shortage of hospitals
Correct answer: Better job opportunities
Lack of housing

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definition.

Correct Answer:Infrastructure,The systems like transport and energy that support city life

The systems like transport and energy that support city life

Correct Answer:Innovation,The creation of new ideas, products, or ways of doing things

The creation of new ideas, products, or ways of doing things

Correct Answer:Culture,The customs, arts, and social life of a community

The customs, arts, and social life of a community

Q2.
What is one benefit of living in a city?

Limited job opportunities
Poor transport links
Correct answer: Access to diverse services like hospitals and schools
Fewer people to meet

Q3.
Cities often support by bringing together people, ideas and businesses.

Correct Answer: innovation

Q4.
A student says: “Living in a city is all about noise, traffic and stress.” What would be a more balanced view?

Cities are peaceful and rural
Correct answer: Cities offer both challenges and benefits, including opportunities and culture
Cities have only quiet areas
Cities are never busy