What are the causes and effects of rural-urban migration ?
Cities in LEDCs show a very different pattern of land use because the causes of change are very different. At their centre is often the old colonial street plan with a central square surrounded by cathedral, administrative offices and the houses of the rich. Streets spread out rom the central square to form a CBD. Beyond this are the residential zones which, unlike MEDC cities, declines in quality towards the edge of the city. The rich people live in expensive housing either elegant apartment blocks with their own social and recreational facilities or detached villas with large gardens and swimming pools close to the CBD. The outermost zone is an area of squatter settlements or shanty towns built up by the huge numbers of migrants who move in from rural areas each day. The houses are built out of any available materials – wood, corrugated iron, cardboard, etc. and usually have only one or two rooms for a family which may consist of up to six children. Most of the housing will lack basi
