The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution began the trend of people moving to cities because many factories were created in cities. The meant that many people began commuting between their rural places of residence to the city to work. Consequently, people began moving to the city to reduce the amount of traveling they would have to do. This meant that urban areas began growing due to the amount of jobs available, which was the major pull factor.

Since the Revolution, many businesses set up in urban areas because that is where the majority of people live. People have also been consistently moving to the city in search of work and different lifestyles.

Read on to learn more about push and pull factors.

Types of Settlements

The amount of people in a specific area varies per country although in Canada, we have limits on what is considered urban and rural areas.

Urban Areas: Can be defined as any place with more than 1 000 people.

Town: Considered to have between 1 000 and 10 000 people.

City: Considered to have between 10 000 and 1 000 000 people.

Mega City: Considered to have between 8 and 10 million people.

Rural Areas: Can be defined as any area with less than 1 000 people.

Hamlet: Considered to have less than 100 people.

Village: Considered to have between 100 and 1 000 people.

Factors Influencing Urbanization

Less Developed Countries

There is a lot of migration from rural areas to urban areas in Less Developed Countries. Some of the reasons are as follows :

Rural Push Factors

- More poverty

- Less work opportunities

- Limited education opportunities

- Fewer medical facilities

Urban Pull Factors

- Possibilities of jobs

- Better education

- Better medical

- More available/affordable housing

More Developed Countries

There is less migration from rural to urban or vice versa in a more developed country because many infrastructures have been put in place for areas that are not in the city. Many people tend to stay in either urban areas or rural areas because they like it since many of the same opportunities are available a short drive away. There still are pull factors for both areas that can influence people which are as follows :

Rural Pull Factors

- Small schools

- Lots of land

- Jobs

- Small community atmosphere

Urban Pull Factors

- Possibility of jobs

- Better/higher education

- More hospitals