Causes of the Urbanisation in Sao Paulo

(Increasing % of urban population)

The population of Sao Paulo metropolitan area has rapidly increased over the past 40 years. It has increased from 7 million in 1970 to 20 million today. The following has caused this population increase:

§  High birth rate and lowering death rate (stage 3)

§  Internal rural to urban migration mainly from the poor NE region of Brazil. (See below for Sao Paulo pull factors)

Pull factors of Sao Paulo

§  50% of industry is clustered in & around Sao Paulo

(Manufacturing includes vehicles, machinery, textiles & shoes).

§  Also iron ore is found around Sao Paulo JOBS

§  Booming construction industry

§  Many businesses including coffee exports

§  Improved roads & rail communication have encouraged migration

Impacts of urbanisation on people & environment

One of the greatest impacts of rapid urbanisation in Sao Paulo has been the creation of large ‘Shanty Towns’ or ‘Favelas’ (the name given to shanty towns in Brazil)

What are ‘Shanty Towns’ or ‘Favelas’ in Sao Paulo?

When people arrive in a new city like Sao Paulo the first thing they need to create is a settler or somewhere to sleep. Many of the new migrants arriving in a city do not have very much money and so cannot afford to rent a room or buy a house. Instead they create makeshift homes that are constructed out of what ever material they can find. This might be wood, plastic, corrugated iron and some times old disused bricks. These shelters are built illegally on land that the people do not own. They are often built on wasteland for example along train tracks, in marshy land, near rubbish dumps, around the edge of cities. As the number of shelters increase they become known as a slum or a ‘shanty town’ or in Brazil a ‘favelas.’

Unlike MEDC, the poorest housing tends to be found on the edge of the city. As you move into the centre of the city the quality of the housing improves. (see above)

What are the characteristics of a ‘Shanty Towns’ or ‘Favelas’ in Sao Paulo?

Task
1.  How has Sao Paulo population changed over the past 40 years? (2mks)
2.  Describe why Sao Paulo population has changed over the past 40 years (6mks)
3.  What is a Shanty Town and why are they often found in LEDC? (4mks)
4.  Where are Shanty Towns usually located and why are they located here? (4mks)
5.  What are 6 main characteristics of a Shanty Town?
6.  Imagine you live in a shanty town. Write an account describing what you would find most difficult about living in it.