INTRODUCTION

Urban geography is the study of the history and development of cities and
towns and the people in them. Geographers and urban planners study urban
geography to understand how and why cities change. While unsettling
Cities explores the mix of proximity and difference that exists in the rich and
diverse texture of city life. On the other hand, the concept of "cities of connection
and disconnection" implies a binary relationship in which some elements of a
city promote connection while others cause separation.
 Settling
• Stability
• Economic Prosperity
• Community Cohesion
• Infrastructure & Services
• Safety
Unsettling
• Instability
• Social Disconnection
• Inequality
• Environmental Challenges
• Infrastructure Deficiency
 Cities of Connection vs. Cities of
Disconnection
1. Social Fabric:
• Cities of Connection: Cities with strong social links that provide a feeling of
belonging, community, and shared identity among citizens.
• Cities of Disconnection: On the other hand, disconnected cities could have a broken
social structure. Social isolation may result from residents feeling alone or cut off from
their local communities.
2. Economic Opportunities:
• Cities of Connection: These cities usually provide a wide range of employment options,
strong industries, and a general feeling of economic stability. Accessibility to resources, work
opportunities, and education enhances the sense of wealth among people.
• Cities of Disconnection: Cities of disconnection could have more obvious economic
disparities. Residents in some places or towns may feel economically disconnected due to a
lack of economic possibilities, high unemployment rates, and unequal access to resources.
3. Technological Integration:
• Cities of Connection: Connected cities are typically enhanced by the seamless
integration of technology, which facilitates communication, cooperation, and
information access.
• Cities of Disconnection: Disconnected cities may have inconsistent technology
integration, with some sections not having access to digital resources.
4. Environmental Quality:
• Cities of Connection: Connected cities frequently place a high priority on
environmental sustainability, emphasizing pollution reduction, green areas, and
effective waste management.
• Cities of Disconnection: Disconnected cities may struggle with environmental
issues such pollution, a lack of green space, and poor living circumstances. These
5. Cultural Diversity and Inclusion:
•Cities of Connection: Linked cities encourage inclusivity and celebrate cultural variety.
Different ethnic groups live side by side in harmony, adding to the complex tapestry of
customs, languages, and viewpoints.
•Cities of Disconnection: Disconnected cities may celebrate cultural diversity less, and
some communities may feel excluded or marginalized. This lack of inclusivity could
hinder the city's general connectivity and lead to social fragmentation.
 How to
1. People Connectivity – Promotes social Diagnose
Connectivity?
interaction and community engagement; where
there is a sense of place. It builds social capital
and empathy across the social-cultural
spectrum.
2. Place Connectivity – Involves land use that
provides easy access to a mix of neighborhood
activities, enabling short-distance travel. This
brings place closer to one another.
3. Transport Connectivity – Exist where
low-impact modes of travel allow for
sustainable mobility, which enhances the
quality and livability of places, making the
journey between places A and B safe, efficient
and enjoyable.
 City Life refers to the way of living in urban areas in large
communities where people live in close proximity to one another, a
collection of people, services, and infrastructure that can be a
center for economy, politics, and culture.

Urban refers to both central cities and surrounding suburban

areas. Therefore, when we refer to urban concepts, we include
everything connected to a city!

Urbanization is the process of towns and cities growing. In this

City
case, we refer to speed to explain urbanization. For instance, while
urbanization is occurring slowly in Europe, many countries in
Africa are urbanizing quickly. This is due to the rapid migration of

Life
residents from rural areas to urban areas for more job opportunities
while urban populations have remained consistent in Europe.
 1. Centers of Economic Activity
2. Cultural and Social Centers

Significance
3. Spatial Organization and Planning
4. Transportation and Connectivity
of Cities to 5. Social Inequality and Segregation

Urban
6. Environmental Impact
7. Political and Administrative Centers
Geography 8. Globalization and Urbanization
9. Technological Innovation and Digital
Spaces
 1. Public Transportation
2. Dining Options are endless

8 Things that 3. The Commute is Short

are Great
4. Stunning Skyline
5. Social Clubs are everywhere

about City Life

6. Entertainment comes in a
lot of forms
7. People are diverse
8. People are energetic
 MOVEMENT AND SETTLEMENT IN
CITIES (Political and Economic
Factors)
1. Migration- is the movement of people from one place to
another with intentions of settling, permanently or
temporarily, at a new location.
2. Immigration-is the process of moving to a new country or
region with the intention of staying and living there.
3. Emigration is the act of leaving a resident country or place of
residence with the intent to settle elsewhere.
POLITICAL FACTORS

1.State Persecution
∙ State persecution involves the harassment, discrimination
and torture of people who disagree with their
government, have minority religious beliefs or ethnic
backgrounds.
∙ Asylum-the protection granted by a nation to someone
who has left their native country as a political refugee.
Example: Philippines giving Asylum (The 9 Waves of
Refugees)
2. Lack of Political Liberties
∙ It refers to the absence of freedoms or rights related to one's
participation in the political process and the broader political
sphere.
∙ This can encompass a range of limitations, including restricted
freedom of expression, restrictions on political participation,
and discrimination and political repression.
Example:
South Korea's Unification Ministry recorded 196 defectors
entering the country last year, it said in a briefing. Among them,
more than half were in their 20s and 30s, and about 84 per cent
were women or girls, according to government data. (Hindustan
Times)
3. War
According to the National Geographic’s Earth Pulse there are
approximately 42 million people worldwide who have been
forced to migrate due to war.
The conflict in Ukraine has displaced over 3.6 million people
within the country and forced approximately 6.3 million others to
seek refuge abroad as of January 2024. (worldvision.org)
More than 24,620 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza
Strip and more than 1.9 million people have been displaced,
including almost 1 million women and girls. (unwomen.org)
ECONOMIC FACTORS
1.Higher wages and job opportunities
Countries with strong economies and abundant job markets
are often magnets for migrants seeking to improve their
economic prospects.
The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) or Filipino
workers who worked abroad during the period April to
September 2022 was estimated at 1.96 million. (Philippine
Statistics Authority)
2.Lower Cost of Living
Countries with a lower cost of living can be
appealing to migrants looking to stretch
their incomes further and improve their
quality of life.
• Is a broad concept that refers to individuals
and groups who establish their principal
residence in mostly urban areas and types of
dwellings considered illegal or in discord
with the dominant social norms.
• Common categories or terms associated
with informal housing include: slums, shanty
towns, squats, homelessness, backyard
housing and pavement dwellers.

Informal
 Slu Squats
ms Area

Example of Informal
Settlers

Homeless Backyard
ness Pavement
Housing
 Significance of
Informal Settlers to
Urban Geography
Informal settlers play a significant role in urban geography by highlighting issues related to
urbanization, housing, and social inequality.
- Urbanization Dynamics: They reflect the rapid urbanization occurring in many regions,
showcasing the migration of people from rural to urban areas in search of opportunities.
- Housing and Land Use Patterns: Informal settlements highlight challenges related to
housing shortages, substandard living conditions, and irregular land use. Studying them
provides insights into the dynamics of urban land distribution.
- Social Inequality: Informal settlers often face socio-economic disparities, illustrating
broader issues of social inequality within urban settings. Analyzing their living conditions
helps understand and address these disparities.
 Characteristics of
Informal Settlers

- Poor urban appearance

- Low quality of public, physical and mental health
- Lack of any suitable job and sufficient income
- Population density
- Low or lack of educational and welfare facilities and low level of literacy
and education
- Extensive poverty
- Abundant drug and high level of addiction
 INFORMAL
SETTLEMENTS
CAUSES INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
1. Rapid Urbanization
2. Economic Disparities
3. Inadequate Urban Planning

FUTURE OUTLOOK
1. Sustainability in urban development - Sustainable urban development is defined as development
that meets the needs of a community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. It prioritizes economic, environmental and social sustainability.
2. Integrating informal settlements into city planning - The integration of informal settlements is a
multidimensional process that includes both spatial aspects like infrastructure planning and upgrading
of units, and non-spatial aspects like socio-cultural integration and inclusion through legal
frameworks.
 That’s all,
Thank You!