(a) Outline four functions of an urban centre. (b) Highlight four problems of urbanization (c) Suggest possible solutions to any two of the problems identif...

Answer Details

(a) Four functions of an urban centre

1. Administrative function: it serves as a centre of government, housing offices, courts and headquarters.
2. Commercial function: it is a market and trading centre with shops, banks and business houses.
3. Industrial function: it is a place of manufacturing where factories and processing plants are sited.
4. Service function: it provides education, health, transport and recreation for itself and the surrounding region.

Also acceptable: cultural/religious, defence, mining, port or route-junction functions.

(b) Four problems of urbanization

• Housing shortage and growth of slums as people crowd into the city faster than housing can be built.
• Traffic congestion caused by too many vehicles and inadequate roads.
• Unemployment and crime as rural migrants fail to find jobs.
• Pressure on social services and pollution: water, electricity, schools, hospitals and waste disposal cannot cope, and the environment becomes polluted.

(c) Possible solutions to two of the problems

• Housing shortage: government and private developers should build more low-cost housing estates and high-rise flats, and provide site-and-service schemes and mortgage loans.
• Traffic congestion: construct more roads, flyovers and mass-transit systems (buses, rail), and encourage decentralisation of workplaces to reduce commuter pressure.