(a) What is a conurbation? (b) Name one conurbation each in three different countries (c) State four problems of a conurbation (d) Suggest any three solutio...

Answer Details

(a) What is a conurbation?

A conurbation is a very large, continuous built-up area formed when several separate towns and cities grow outward and merge into one another, so that their boundaries can no longer be distinguished. It results from the horizontal spread and coalescence of neighbouring urban centres.

(b) One conurbation in each of three different countries

• United Kingdom - Greater London (or the West Midlands around Birmingham).
• United States of America - New York (or the Boston-New York-Washington belt).
• Japan - the Tokyo-Yokohama conurbation. (Nigeria: Greater Lagos is also acceptable.)

(c) Four problems of a conurbation

• Traffic congestion on overloaded roads, with long delays.
• Housing shortage and slums, with overcrowding and high rents.
• Pressure on services such as water, electricity, schools, hospitals and waste disposal, leading to shortages and poor sanitation.
• Pollution of air, water and land, and high rates of crime and unemployment.

(d) Three solutions to the problems

• Build new satellite towns and encourage decentralisation to draw people and industry away from the congested core.
• Provide an efficient mass-transit system (rail, underground, bus lanes) and construct ring roads and flyovers to ease traffic.
• Undertake urban renewal and low-cost housing schemes, expand and upgrade public utilities, and improve waste management to reduce pollution.