Contextualization

Introduction to Urbanisation

Urbanisation is the process by which an increasing proportion of the population of a country or region live in urban areas rather than in rural areas. This is a historical phenomenon that has been occurring for centuries, but it has accelerated in the last century due to industrialisation and various socio-economic factors.

In the United States, urbanisation started during the Industrial Revolution and has continued to the present day. As a result, the majority of Americans now live in urban areas, which are characterized by high population density and a vast array of man-made features such as buildings, roads, and infrastructure.

Urbanisation has profound effects on society, economics, and the environment, and it continues to be a major force shaping the world today. Understanding the process of urbanisation, the factors that drive it, and its consequences is thus crucial for understanding the world we live in.

Importance of Understanding Urbanisation

The process of urbanisation has profound effects on various aspects of human life. For instance, it affects the distribution of wealth and resources, the availability of jobs and opportunities, the quality of life, and the environment. Understanding urbanisation can help us understand why some cities are rich and prosperous while others are poor and struggling, and why some cities are clean and green while others are polluted and crowded.

Furthermore, urbanisation is a global phenomenon that is reshaping the world. By 2050, it is estimated that 66% of the world's population will be living in urban areas. This rapid urbanisation has major implications for global sustainability and the quality of life of billions of people. Therefore, understanding the process of urbanisation is not just an academic exercise, but a key to understanding the future of our planet.

Resources

To delve deeper into the topic, you can use the following resources:

1. The Challenge of Urbanization: A Global Issue - A comprehensive overview from National Geographic that covers the causes, consequences, and challenges of urbanisation.
2. Urbanisation - Britannica's in-depth article on urbanisation, covering its historical development, social and economic effects, and current trends.
3. Urbanization and Growth - A report from the International Monetary Fund that examines the relationship between urbanisation and economic growth.
4. The Urban Planet: How Cities Save Our Future - A book by the journalist Leo Hollis that explores the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Urbanisation: Past, Present, and Future"

Objective of the Project:

The objective of this project is to understand the process of urbanisation in the United States, its causes, its consequences, and its future implications. It will enable you to apply your knowledge of urbanisation to a real-world scenario and develop important skills such as research, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Detailed Description of the Project:

In this group project, you will be divided into teams of 3 to 5 students. Each team will select a major U.S. city and study its history of urbanisation, including the key factors that drove its growth, the challenges it faced, and the strategies it used to manage its urban growth. Each team will then create a hypothetical plan for the future development of their chosen city, taking into account the lessons learned from its past and the challenges and opportunities of future urbanisation.

Necessary Materials:

• Internet access for research
• Books, articles, and other sources of information on urbanisation and your chosen city
• Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.)
• Poster making materials (if you choose to include a visual component in your presentation)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity:

1. Form your teams: Divide the class into teams of 3 to 5 students.

2. Select a city: Each team should select a major U.S. city that they are interested in studying. Make sure that each team selects a different city to avoid repetition.

3. Research the city's history of urbanisation: Use books, articles, and other sources of information to research the history of urbanisation in your chosen city. Focus on the key factors that drove its growth, the challenges it faced, and the strategies it used to manage its urban growth.

4. Create a timeline: Create a timeline that shows the major milestones in your city's history of urbanisation. This can be done using presentation software or on a large sheet of paper.

5. Plan for the future: Based on your research, create a hypothetical plan for the future development of your chosen city. This plan should take into account the lessons learned from its past and the challenges and opportunities of future urbanisation.

6. Prepare a presentation: Prepare a presentation that outlines your research findings and your plan for the future development of your chosen city. The presentation should include your timeline and any other visual aids you have created.

7. Present your findings: Each team will present their findings to the class. The presentation should be followed by a question and answer session, where the class can ask the presenting team about their research and their plan for the future of their chosen city.

8. Write the Report: After completing the practical part of the project, the team must write a document reporting the entire process experienced. This report will be structured in four main topics: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography.

   • Introduction: Provide an overview of the selected city, the importance of studying urbanisation in this context, and the objective of your project.

   • Development: Detail the methodology used in your research, present and discuss your findings, and explain your plan for the future development of your chosen city.

   • Conclusion: Revisit the main points of your project, state the learnings obtained, and the conclusions drawn about the process of urbanisation in your chosen city.

   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources you used for your research, following the provided citation format.

9. Review and Submit: Before submitting your report, make sure to review it for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The report should be submitted along with your presentation slides and any other visual aids you used during your presentation.

Project Deliverables:

• A presentation that outlines your research findings and your plan for the future development of your chosen city.
• A written report detailing your research process, findings, conclusions, and bibliography.

Remember, the goal of this project is not just to learn about urbanisation, but also to develop important skills such as research, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Good luck, and have fun exploring the fascinating world of urbanisation!