Migration and Counter-Urbanisation
This section explores the concepts of migration and counter-urbanisation, two significant phenomena in human geography that shape population distribution and urban development.
Migration
Migration is defined as the movement of people from one place to another, often driven by various push and pull factors.
Definition: Migration is the process of individuals or groups moving from one geographical location to another, either within a country (internal migration) or across national borders (international migration).
Push and Pull Factors of Migration
Push factors (reasons for leaving an area):
- Poor value of human rights
- Inadequate or expensive healthcare
- Substandard education
- Poor housing conditions
- Lack of job opportunities
- Famine
- Desertification
- Disease
- War (leading to refugee movements)
Pull factors (reasons for moving to a new area):
- Strong human rights protections
- High-quality or less expensive healthcare
- Better education opportunities
- Improved housing options
- More job opportunities and better pay
- Access to various services
Example: A family might migrate from a rural area with limited job prospects (push factor) to an urban center offering diverse employment opportunities and better educational facilities for their children (pull factors).
Counter-Urbanisation
Counter-urbanisation refers to the movement of people from urban to rural areas, a trend that has gained prominence in many developed countries.
Definition: Counter-urbanisation is the process of population shift from urban areas to rural areas, often driven by a desire for a different lifestyle or retirement preferences.
Effects of counter-urbanisation include:
- Loss of community in urban areas
- Ageing population in rural areas as retirees move in
- Potential for a hostile environment between newcomers and long-term residents
- Loss of traditional industries in rural areas
- Difficulties in the property market due to second homes
- Sale of farmland, potentially affecting the aesthetic appeal of rural landscapes
Highlight: The effects of counter-urbanisation can be both positive and negative, reshaping rural communities and economies while potentially alleviating urban congestion.
Understanding the interplay between migration and counter urbanisation effects in human geography is crucial for analyzing population dynamics and urban-rural relationships.