What do you know?
What do the terms LIC and MIC mean?
LIC stands for low income country. LICs are countries recognised by the The World Bank is an international organisation connected with the United Nations (UN). as having a lower income compared to other countries.
MIC stands for middle income country. MICs are recognised by the World Bank as being neither high income nor low income. The World Bank reviews the status of all countries each year.
Key points
- Cities in low income countries (LICs) and middle income countries (MICs) began to grow rapidly in the 20th century.
- In LICs, more people still live in the countryside. In MICs, around half of the population now live in cities. In both types of country, the percentage of those living in cities is increasing.
- Urbanisation in LICs and MICs is caused by rural to urban migration and natural increase (when birth rates are higher than death rates, leading to an increase in population).
Game - What is urbanisation?
Play a Planet Planners mission to help people thrive in a rapidly urbanising world.
You can also play the full game
What are cities like in LICs and MICs?
Video: Cities in LICs and MICs
Learn what cities are like in LICs and MICs
Cities in LICs and MICs
Cities in low income countries or LICs and middle income countries or MICs are getting bigger as people migrate from the countryside.
These cities are often crowded, busy and exciting to be in. There can also be lots of noise and air pollution.In some cities it can take hours to get where you want to go because there is so much traffic and the roads are poor quality.
People use buses and taxis but there are other forms of transport too. For example, people use motorbikes as taxis, which are fast and cheap.
Cities in LICs and MICs have skyscrapers usually in the city centre. But there is less planning elsewhere and it is typical to see shops, factories and homes mixed together. Some houses in LICs and MICs are well made and spacious but others aren't as well built. For example, people who live in informal settlements often build their own homes. And some people don't have electricity or access to running water.
Over half of the world's population now live in cities and they are growing fast.
How is land used in different types of cities?
Cities in Countries recognised by the World Bank as having a lower income than other countries. This classification is reviewed yearly. and Countries recognised by the World Bank as being neither high income or low income. This classification is reviewed yearly. began to grow rapidly in the 20th century. The growth of LIC and MIC cities has been mapped out using a Diagrams that show the typical patterns of how land is used in a city..
Land use in LIC and MIC cities can be similar to cities found in Countries recognised by the World Bank as being wealthier. This classification is reviewed yearly. (HICs) cities. However, there can also be some major differences. Here are some similarities and differences between land use in LIC and MIC cities compared to HIC cities.
Similarities
The The middle of a large town or city where businesses, like offices and shops, are located. (CBD) is in the middle of the city. Land values in the CBD are high, so the most Something that makes a lot of money, for example shops in city centres are profitable. shops and businesses are located there.
Buildings where products are made to sell. For example, a car factory assembles cars. and Often refers to factories, but can mean any form of employment that makes money. develop along one or more transport routes such as ports or roads.
High-cost housing is found close to the CBD and along some transport routes. These are planned areas with water and Access to clean water and sewage disposal..
Differences
Unplanned housing constructed on the edge of cities in LICs. grow around the edges of LIC and MIC cities on land that is Land that is less valuable. It may be steep, polluted or at risk of flooding or landslides.. They are often deemed illegal as residents do not own the land.
Basic housing is found further away from the CBD, where land values are cheaper.
Question
Why are informal settlements often classed as illegal?
Informal settlements are often classed as illegal as the residents do not own the land. Many people living in these settlements have arrived from the countryside looking for work. They arrive with no money to buy or rent a house and so they have no option but to build their own. However, governments rarely take action against the residents as they provide a vital workforce for the city.
Game - Informal settlements
Play a Planet Planners mission to help make life easier for the residents of informal settlements.
You can also play the full game
Land use in LICs and MICs
Land use models are just a The description of something in a particular way, for example drawing a picture or a map to show what something looks like. of what a typical city looks like. Not all cities have the same pattern of land use.
The land use model for MICs and LICs has the Central Business District (CBD) in the centre. High-cost housing is found close to the CBD and along some transport routes. Informal settlements are found around the edge of the city, where land values are lower.
Question
Where is the most expensive housing in LIC and MIC cities located?
High-cost housing in LICs and MICs is located close to the Central Business District and along some transport routes.
Quiz: Cities in LICs and MICs
How have cities in LICs and MICs developed over time?
As countries become wealthier, they tend to become more When somewhere becomes more urban. This means a greater percentage of people live in city areas rather than the countryside.. In LICs, more people still live in the countryside. In MICs, around half of the population now live in cities. In both types of country, the percentage of those living in cities is increasing.
Eight of the top ten most Having a large population. cities in the world are now found in LICs and MICs. These are all Large urban areas that are home to 10 million or more people. that are still growing. Examples include Delhi in India, Shanghai in China, Cairo in Egypt and Lagos in Nigeria.
What causes urbanisation in LIC cities?
Urbanisation in LIC cities is caused by:
The movement of people from the countryside to cities. This often takes place in LICs, where people move to cities in search of better opportunities. - People move to cities for better opportunities. These include jobs, access to electricity and improved Access to clean water and sewage disposal..
When birth rates are higher than death rates and the population increases. - The number of children that an average woman gives birth to. Fertility rates tend to be higher in LICs than in HICs. in LICs and MICs have declined over the last 40 years. However, A measurement of the number of live births in a country. Usually given as a figure per 1,000 people per year. are still higher than The number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.. This means that the population of these cities tends to increase over time.
Question
Why do people in LICs and MICs move to cities?
People in LICs and MICs move to cities for better opportunities, such as jobs, access to electricity and improved sanitation.
Quiz: Development of LICs and MICs
Play the Planet Planners game! game
Make decisions for the planet in this KS3 geography game.
More on Urbanisation
Find out more by working through a topic
- count4 of 4
- count1 of 4
- count2 of 4
