Sasha Zouev

Geography HL, 22/09/06

MEDC Urbanization Case Study: Birmingham

Introduction:

        Birmingham is a city in the English West Midlands.  It’s considered to be the UK’s second largest city (after London) and the largest of England’s core cities.  Birmingham has a reputation of being a somewhat powerhouse of the industrial revolution in Britain.  Currently the population is just over one million people, 30% of whom are non-white, making it a very culturally diverse city.  

City History:

        Birmingham’s history is well over 1000 years old, when it was still a small Anglo-Saxon farming village.  In the 12th century Birmingham was granted a charter to hold a market, and soon after this, it developed into a small but growing market town.  In the 16th century, the city’s access to resources like iron ore and coal meant that many industries became established.  During the industrial revolution (from mid 18th century and on), Birmingham grew rapidly into a major industrial centre.  During the Victorian era, the population of Birmingham grew rapidly to well over half a million.  In recent years, Birmingham has been transformed; the city has been extensively rebuilt and renovated, causing much immigration from the Commonweath of Nations.

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Introduction to Urbanization in MEDC’s

        Usually more developed countries have around 70% of their population living in urban places.  The UK has had its urban percentage rise from 33.8% in 1801 to 78% in 1901.  As of today this percentage is around 90%.

        Industrialization in the 19th and 20th century has been closely linked with the urbanization process in many MEDC’s.  Societies gradually changed from being dependant on agriculture to depending on industry, mainly located in towns.  In the UK, vast industrial growth was based on the development of markets at home and abroad, together with the ability to employ new ...

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