Cities in less economically developed countries (LEDCs)

Remember: Categories such as LEDC can be misleading. Some cities like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia are very different from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. Even within countries there are rich and poor cities. Compare São Paulo with Manaus in Brazil.This case study is about Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Follow it to learn about LEDCs and then check your notes for the detailed examples you have studied in your coursework.

Growth of Cities in LEDCs

Here are some facts to learn about World Urban Population.

World Urban Population (LEDCs and MEDCs) 1950 -

2000 In the past 50 years millions

of people in LEDCs have moved to cities in search of work and a better quality of life.

By the year 2000 two out of every three people in LEDCs will be living in a city.

The only places for newcomers to live are on the edges of the city, along roadsides and railways.

People build shelters from any material they can find. These areas are generally called shanty towns or squatter settlements.

In Brazil they are called favelas and in Mexico barrios.

They can be the homes for up to a quarter of the city's population.

RememberYou will need to refer to a case study of an LEDC in your exam.

Here is a model case study of an LEDC. Follow this model to see what to do with the examples you have studied.

Case study: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil(A city in a less economically developed country)

Steps to follow: 1. Name the city: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2. General facts about Rio de Janeiro.

10 million people live in Rio de Janeiro (once the capital of Brazil). Of these up to 2 million live in favelas, the Brazilian name for shanty towns. Many of these are newcomers living in the very poorest conditions.

Describe what the shanty town is like. Use these headings to help you. Location:

Built on the edge of the city. Building materials:

Any available scrap - cardboard, wood, corrugated iron, etc.

Amenities:Few - often no water, sanitation or electricity. Few shops, schools, clinics or transport.

Quality of life:Poor, little money, large families - illness and disease common, widespread crime and drug dealing. Those with jobs would probably have long journeys to work.

Name an improved shanty town: Rocinhã is an old favela now inside the city.

General facts about Rocinhã: Between 50,000 and 100,000 people live in

Rocinhã a favela on the hills on the edge of Rio.

Like many such areas the housing was poor and there was no water, electricity or basic services such as schools or clinics.

Today the situation is very different.

Improvements to Rocinhã - What has happened? Temporary wooden shacks have been rebuilt

using bricks and breeze-blocks, often by the people themselves with help from neighbours.

Water, electricity and other services have been put in. Many homes have satellite TV!

People have built shops, schools and clinics with help from the city council.

Crime is still a problem, but people feel safer now and enjoy a much better quality of life.