GEOGRAPHY!!! Technology and trade have narrowed the gap that once separated cult
ID: 297024 • Letter: G
Question
GEOGRAPHY!!! Technology and trade have narrowed the gap that once separated cultures and nations. It is imperative that we are knowledgeable about other countries. China is huge – on several counts in the world. It has the world's largest share (roughly 20%) of human population and is playing a more and more important role in the world economy and political affairs.
In terms of urbanization, China’s level is low compared to other countries in East Asia, a realm of great cities. Why does China have more cities in the one-million-plus population category than any other country in the realm and yet the lowest percentage of urbanization? Do you expect the urban geography of China to change significantly in the coming decades, and if so, where and how? What impact would you expect this change to have on China’s political climate?
Explanation / Answer
The fact that China's urbanisation started almost 4,000 years back by the proof of Neolithic villages which had begun to make a place for themselves in river valleys probably thousand years back is now urbanising on an unprecedented scale. By the late 1940s China had almost 69 cities and in 2007 China had around 670 cities which tells us almost ten times increase. Since the population increased, it resulted in increased urbanisation which forced migration of people from villages leading to the expansion of small towns which again resulted in reclassification as cities. Among these cities, 89 have a population of over a million. Though China has more population but facing lower urbanisation due to following reasons:
1. Jobs and infrastructure - More people are being added to the existing population which has demanded for more empolyment and infrastructure to survive.
2. Energy - Usage of energy is at peak as urban resident uses 3.6 times more than rural residents.
3. Motorisation - country needs to balance the pros and cons of motorisation which is leading to high pollution and energy consumption.
4. Land for agriculture - due to high commodity prices and rising consumption.
5. Water - China is suffering from water scarcity due to over population and due to climate change it may worse arid conditions in the northern part.
6. Climate change - has affected low-lying heavily populated areas which in turn affects the infrastructure requirement.
In 1950, the people lived in China cities was 13% and by 2010 the urban population had grown to 45% and it is expected to reach 60% by 2030. Urbanisation is reshaping both physical environment and cultural fabric. Anybody who wants to study in China or do business, they just don't go to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou but they also explore second-tier city. Those who accommodate themselves in Beijing is considered to be very modern. The urbanisation in China is still in a transition process.
Effect of urbanisation on politics are:
1. It will strain central and local government relationship. If CCP successfully implements urbanisation plan then it will have to fundamentally reorient central-local relations.
2. Allocation of larger budgets.
3. Empowerment to raise greater revenues.
4. Expansion of social services to the current and future rural migrants.
5. Most popular cities like Beijing have already said they want to concentrate on improving second and third tier cities.
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