IB Geography: Urban Environments Revision

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What mainly drives urban growth?

Urban Environments is a core part of IB Geography. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

MegacityUrban agglomeration with more than 10 million inhabitants.

MetacityUrban region exceeding 20 million inhabitants, e.g. Tokyo, Delhi.

Urban hierarchyOrdering of settlements by population and function.

Primate cityCity disproportionately larger than the next in a national urban system, e.g. Bangkok.

World cityCity exerting global influence through finance, culture and politics, e.g. New York, London, Tokyo.

Counter-urbanisationMovement of population from cities to smaller settlements and rural areas, observed in some HICs.

Brundtland definitionSustainable development is 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (1987).

BedZEDBeddington Zero Energy Development in south London, completed 2002, a low-energy eco-village of 100 homes.

BRTBus Rapid Transit, a high-capacity bus system using dedicated lanes pioneered in Curitiba in 1974.

Compact cityPlanning model favouring high density, mixed use and walkability to reduce energy and travel.

Smart cityUrban model using ICT and data to optimise services and infrastructure.

Green infrastructureNetwork of natural and semi-natural features delivering ecosystem services in cities.

SlumUN-Habitat definition: settlement lacking durable housing, sufficient space, water, sanitation or security of tenure.

Informal settlementHousing built outside legal frameworks, often on land the residents do not own.

Learn Urban Environments step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board to open its course map, then tap L on this topic:

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Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

What mainly drives urban growth?✗ Only higher birth rates inside cities. ✓ Rural-to-urban migration for jobs and services, plus natural increase.

Practise Urban Environments — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

Urban Environments

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Urban Environments — free games

More IB Geography topics