CHANGING PLACES

INTRODUCTION

Australia's original coastal settlements were established near sources of fresh water and deep harbours.  Over time these settlements grew into cities, and Australia is now one of the most urbanised countries in the world, with nine out of ten Australians living in an urban area.  Around the world, cities keep getting bigger.  Growing cities put pressure on land resources and require investment in infrastructure such as housing, roads, schools and other services.  Megacities, many of which are located in Asia, can be swamped with so many basic supply of housing, clean water and sanitation is difficult.

urbanisation
the process of economic and social change in which an increasing proportion of the population of a country or region live in urban areas  - the growth and expansion of an urban area

urban
relating to a city or town. The definition of an urban area varies from one country to another depending on population size and density

population distribution
the pattern of where people live. Population distribution is not even — cities have high population densities and remote places such as deserts usually have low population densities

population density
the number of people living within one square kilometre of land; it identifies the intensity of land use or how crowded a place is

megacity
a city with more than 10 million inhabitants