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Study Guide: Megacities and Urban Dynamics

Cheat Sheet:
Megacities and Urban Dynamics Study Guide

Defining Megacities and Urban Agglomerations

Is a megacity universally defined as any urban area with a population exceeding 8 million people?

Answer: False

Explanation: While the United Nations initially used an 8 million threshold, the common definition and current UN DESA standard for a megacity is an urban agglomeration exceeding 10 million inhabitants.

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Does the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) exclusively use a population threshold of 8 million inhabitants to define a megacity?

Answer: False

Explanation: The UN DESA defines megacities as urban agglomerations with over 10 million inhabitants, not exclusively 8 million. While they may have previously used an 8 million threshold, the current standard is 10 million.

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According to reports from the University of Bonn, are megacities typically defined as metropolitan areas with populations of at least 5 million?

Answer: False

Explanation: While some sources may use lower thresholds, the common definition and UN DESA standard for megacities is 10 million inhabitants. Reports from institutions like the University of Bonn also generally align with higher thresholds or more nuanced definitions.

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Are the terms conurbation, metropolis, and metroplex sometimes used interchangeably with 'megacity'?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, the terms conurbation, metropolis, and metroplex are often used to describe large urban areas that meet the criteria for megacities.

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Are population estimates for the number of megacities globally consistent across all major sources and publication dates?

Answer: False

Explanation: Population estimates for the number of megacities vary significantly between different sources and publication dates due to differing methodologies and definitions.

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What is the most commonly cited population threshold for defining a megacity?

Answer: 10 million people

Explanation: The most commonly cited population threshold for defining a megacity is 10 million inhabitants, a standard frequently used by organizations like the UN DESA.

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Which organization provides a definition for megacities based on urban agglomerations with over 10 million inhabitants in its "World Urbanization Prospects" report?

Answer: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

Explanation: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) provides this definition in its 'World Urbanization Prospects' report, identifying megacities as urban agglomerations with over 10 million inhabitants.

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Besides the common 10 million threshold, what other criteria are sometimes suggested for defining a megacity?

Answer: A minimum population of 8 million coupled with a specific population density requirement.

Explanation: Some sources suggest alternative criteria for defining megacities, such as a minimum population of 8 million combined with a specific population density requirement.

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Which of the following terms is NOT mentioned as being used interchangeably with 'megacity' in the source?

Answer: Municipality

Explanation: The terms conurbation, metropolis, and metroplex are mentioned as being used interchangeably with 'megacity,' while 'municipality' is not.

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Global Distribution and Historical Urbanism

Are China and India the only countries in the world that host megacities?

Answer: False

Explanation: No, while China and India have a significant number of megacities, other countries such as Brazil, Japan, Pakistan, and the United States also host multiple megacities.

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Is the Greater Tokyo Area consistently identified by all sources as the world's largest megacity?

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Greater Tokyo Area is cited by some sources as the world's largest megacity, other sources identify the Pearl River Delta in China as the largest.

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Did ancient Rome, with an estimated population of up to 1 million, meet the modern definition of a megacity?

Answer: False

Explanation: No, while ancient Rome was a massive city for its time, it did not meet the modern definition of a megacity, which typically requires a population exceeding 10 million inhabitants.

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Was Baghdad likely the largest city globally from the late 8th century until the 10th century, with population estimates exceeding one million?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, Baghdad is considered to have been the largest city globally during that period, with some estimates placing its population above one million.

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Was London the first city in the world to surpass 5 million inhabitants?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, London achieved this milestone, becoming the first city globally to exceed a population of 5 million inhabitants.

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In 1950, did multiple cities worldwide have populations exceeding 10 million people?

Answer: False

Explanation: No, in 1950, New York City was the sole city globally with a population exceeding 10 million inhabitants.

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According to the provided data, which source lists the highest number of unique megacity places mentioned across different sources?

Answer: CityPopulation.de (2023)

Explanation: According to the data, CityPopulation.de (2023) lists the highest number of unique megacity places mentioned across various sources.

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Which continent is noted for having megacities in countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa?

Answer: Africa

Explanation: Africa is noted for having megacities in countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa.

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How many cities had populations exceeding one million in 1950, according to the source?

Answer: 83

Explanation: In 1950, there were 83 cities worldwide with populations exceeding one million inhabitants.

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Which historical city was the largest, wealthiest, and most politically significant in the ancient world?

Answer: Rome

Explanation: Rome held the distinction of being the largest, wealthiest, and most politically significant city in the ancient world for nearly five hundred years.

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What was London's status around 1900?

Answer: The world's largest city, surpassing 5 million inhabitants.

Explanation: Around 1900, London was the world's largest city, having surpassed 5 million inhabitants and serving as the capital of the British Empire.

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In 1950, which city held the distinction of being the world's sole megacity?

Answer: New York City

Explanation: In 1950, New York City was the only city in the world recognized as a megacity, having a population exceeding 10 million.

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Which of the following is listed as a country with more than one megacity?

Answer: Japan

Explanation: Japan is listed as a country with more than one megacity, alongside China, India, Brazil, Pakistan, and the United States.

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According to the source, which urban area is cited by some as potentially the world's largest megacity?

Answer: The Greater Tokyo Area

Explanation: The Greater Tokyo Area is cited by some sources as potentially the world's largest megacity, though other sources may identify different urban areas.

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Which city was likely the largest globally from the late 8th century until the 10th century?

Answer: Baghdad

Explanation: Baghdad was likely the largest city globally from the late 8th century until the 10th century, with population estimates exceeding one million.

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Which of the following megacities is mentioned as having grown substantially from 300,000 in 1950 to an estimated 21 million recently?

Answer: Lagos

Explanation: Lagos is mentioned as a megacity that has grown substantially from a population of 300,000 in 1950 to an estimated 21 million in recent times.

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Urban Measurement Systems and Data Interpretation

Is the Urban Metric System (UMS) designed to standardize the definition and measurement of urban areas globally?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, the Urban Metric System (UMS) aims to provide a consistent method for defining and measuring urban areas, addressing variations found in different national censuses and definitions.

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Does the Urban Metric System (UMS) use complex geographical mapping techniques but not involve mathematical calculations?

Answer: False

Explanation: The Urban Metric System (UMS) is based on vector field calculations, utilizing mathematical formulas to determine urban area limits and classifications.

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Within the Urban Metric System (UMS), is a 'Patropolis' considered equivalent to a megacity?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, in the Urban Metric System (UMS), a 'Patropolis' is classified as a type of urban area equivalent to a megacity.

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The Urban Metric System (UMS) classifies different types of urban areas based on which parameter?

Answer: The value of the parameter 'β'

Explanation: The Urban Metric System (UMS) classifies urban areas based on the value of its parameter 'β', which determines the balance between attractive and repulsive forces.

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What does a 'Patropolis' represent within the Urban Metric System (UMS)?

Answer: A large metropolitan area equivalent to a megacity

Explanation: Within the Urban Metric System (UMS), a 'Patropolis' is defined as a large metropolitan area that is considered equivalent to a megacity.

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What does a red asterisk (*) next to a population figure in the megacity table indicate?

Answer: The urban area does not meet the 10 million threshold for megacity status.

Explanation: A red asterisk (*) next to a population figure in the megacity table signifies that the urban area in question does not meet the 10 million threshold required for megacity status.

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What is the primary principle behind the Urban Metric System (UMS)?

Answer: Calculating vector fields based on attractive and repulsive forces.

Explanation: The primary principle of the Urban Metric System (UMS) involves calculating vector fields based on attractive and repulsive forces exerted by inhabitants and jobs.

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Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts

Do megacities typically not face challenges related to pollution or resource management?

Answer: False

Explanation: This statement is false; megacities commonly face significant challenges related to pollution, resource management, traffic congestion, and housing.

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Are high population densities in megacities generally associated with lower crime rates?

Answer: False

Explanation: No, high population densities in megacities are often correlated with higher crime rates, as observed in many major urban centers.

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Does the 'Housing First' approach prioritize providing homeless individuals with permanent housing and support services?

Answer: True

Explanation: Yes, the 'Housing First' approach is a strategy focused on providing immediate permanent housing and necessary support services to homeless individuals.

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Which of the following is a major challenge commonly faced by megacities?

Answer: Severe traffic congestion

Explanation: Severe traffic congestion is a major challenge frequently encountered in megacities, impacting daily life and economic activity.

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What does the 'Housing First' approach aim to achieve for homeless individuals?

Answer: Provide permanent housing and necessary support services.

Explanation: The 'Housing First' approach aims to provide homeless individuals with permanent housing and the necessary support services to help them maintain stability.

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What was the estimated annual economic cost per driver due to traffic congestion in very large US cities around the year 2000?

Answer: $1,000

Explanation: Around the year 2000, the estimated annual economic cost per driver due to traffic congestion in very large US cities was approximately $1,000.

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Urban sprawl is primarily characterized by:

Answer: The outward expansion of cities into low-density areas.

Explanation: Urban sprawl is primarily characterized by the outward expansion of cities and their suburbs into areas of low population density.

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Which of the following is a socio-cultural change associated with gentrification?

Answer: A decrease in average family size and rising living costs.

Explanation: Gentrification is associated with socio-cultural changes such as rising living costs, a decrease in average family size, and displacement of lower-income residents.

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Smog is a form of air pollution created by the reaction of vehicle emissions and industrial fumes with what?

Answer: Sunlight

Explanation: Smog is formed when vehicle emissions and industrial fumes react with sunlight, creating photochemical smog.

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What is a primary characteristic of urban sprawl?

Answer: Encouragement of car dependency

Explanation: A primary characteristic of urban sprawl is the encouragement of car dependency due to low-density development patterns and dispersed land uses.

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