Library Guides: Changing Nations: Home

Source: Jacek Dylag (2018)

The ways in which humans live are changing, through introduction of new technologies, growing populations, urbanisation, and changing migration patterns. Read through the resources below and the topics above to learn more about this topic.

The World Factbook (CIA, n.d.)
The World Factbook provides basic intelligence on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues for 266 world entities.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (n.d.)
The ABS is the national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information. They tell the real story of Australia, its economy and its people by bringing life and meaning to numbers.

Central business district (CBD): the commercial and often geographical heart of a city

Climate graph: a single graph that often depicts the overall weather for a specified location

Commercial areas: areas, districts, or neighborhoods primarily composed of commercial buildings, such as a strip malls, office parks, downtown, central business district, financial district, "Main Street", or shopping centers

Congestion: excessive crowding

Conurbation: an extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of a central city

Decentralisation: the process by which the activities of an organization, particularly those regarding planning and decision making, are distributed or delegated away from a central, authoritative location or group

Displaced person: a person who is forced to leave their home country because of war or persecution

Emigration: the act of leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another; moving abroad

Exurb: an area beyond the suburbs where the wealthy people live

Gentrification: the restoration of rundown areas by the middle class

Ghetto: a part of a city, usually in a rundown area, inhabited by minority groups

Greenbelt: an area of open land around a city where building is restricted

Immigration: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country

Industrial: of or relating to commercial enterprise

Industrial area: any area occupied by land uses whose primary operation involves manufacturing, assembling, processing, or otherwise treating raw materials

Infrastructure: the basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise

Internal migration: the movement of people from one defined area to another within a country

International migration: the movement of persons away from their place of usual residence and across an international border to a country of which they are not nationals

Megacity: a very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people

Megalopolis: a very large, heavily populated city or urban complex

Migration: the movement of people from one place to another with intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily, at a new location

Multicultural: relating to or containing several cultural or ethnic groups within a society

Permanent migration: when someone moves from one place to another and has no plans to return to their original home

Population: the people who inhabit a territory or state

Population density: the number of people per unit of area, usually quoted per square kilometre or square mile

Population distribution: a term that is used to describe how people are spread across a specific area

Population profile: a chart showing the number of people as a function of their ages

Push and pull factors: push factors “push” people away from their home and include things like war. Pull factors “pull” people to a new home and include things like better opportunities

Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster

Rural: a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities

Sea change: a significant change in lifestyle, especially a move from the city to a rural or seaside location

Suburb: a residential district located on the outskirts of a city

Suburbinisation: a population shift from central urban areas into suburbs, resulting in the formation of urban sprawl

Temporary migration: migration to a country that is not intended to be permanent, for a specified and limited period of time, and usually undertaken for a specific purpose such as work

Tree change: a phrase used to describe the move from city living to a more rural/country setting

Urban: relating to a city or densely populated area

Urban density: a term used in urban planning and urban design to refer to the number of people inhabiting a given urbanized area

Urban fringe: the area of land where town meets country

Urbanisation: making an area into a part of a town

Metropolis : ten cities, ten centuries by Albert Lorenz & Joy Schleh
Call Number: NF 720.9 LOR
ISBN: 9780670872053
Publication Date: 1996
Like Stephen Biesty's incredible cross sections, these meticulous illustrations introduce ten of the world's great cities over|the past thousand years. Aerial views, interiors, exteriors, cross-sections, and even underwater perspectives, an astonishing|combination of art and history.
National Geographic - Cities
THE CITIES ISSUE: Ideas for a brighter future
Sustainable cities by Cheryl Jakab
Call Number: NF 307.76 JAK
ISBN: 9781420267396
Publication Date: 2009
Presents information about major environmental topics such as: unplanned growth; unequal access to resources; transport problems; environmental impacts of buildings; and the rush to cities. Two case studies for each issue are explored as well as a "What can you do?" advice for individuals.
Towns and cities by Richard Spilsbury
Call Number: NF 307.76 SPI
ISBN: 9781432965259
Publication Date: 2013
We are all aware of the importance of the environment - it's in the news, it affects our behavior and the decisions we make every day. But what actual impact has environmental thinking had on the world around us? This thought-provoking book looks at the way changing ideas about the environment and sustainability have changed the way our towns and cities are designed, and will do so in the future.
2020: vision for a sustainable society
Publication Date: 2012
This is the critical decade to act as if we are to create a more sustainable society for future generations. Bringing together leaders from across academia, business and government, this book confronts the challenges and focuses on practical steps that can steer Australia towards sustainability. In suggesting twenty actions by 2020, it provides a map to a more sustainable future - in a society that is healthier and happier but not radically different to what we enjoy today.
A city through time by Steve Noon & Philip Steele
Call Number: NF 307.76 STE
ISBN: 9781405305655
Publication Date: 2004
Come on a spectacular journey to discover the exciting history of a city. From early Greek settlement to industrial metropolis, you'll watch the city grow and find out how people lived through the centuries - every page puts you right into the heart of the urban hustle and bustle!
A history of the world in 25 cities by Tracey Turner
Publication Date: 2021
From the walled city of ancient Jericho to the modern-day metropolis of Tokyo, discover what cities can tell us about our poast while also inspiring us to build a better future. Take a voyage of discovery and witness the birth of democracy in Athens, walk the lamplit streets of Benin deep in the West African rainforest, or discover what life was like in China's long-lost capital city of Xianyang.
Featuring 25 specially created city maps and written in consultation with expert curators at the British Museum, this captivating book is packed with countless facts for curious readers to return to again and again.
Great cities : the stories behind the world's most fascinating places by Dorling Kindersley
Publication Date: 2021
Delve into the social and cultural history of 100 of the world's most important cities. From the first towns in Mesopotamia to today's global metropolises, cities have marked the progress of civilization.
Population patterns : What factors determine the location and growth of human settlements? by Natalie Hyde
Call Number: NF 304.6 HYD
ISBN: 9780778751977
Publication Date: 2010
Why do people migrate to and settle in the places they do? Fascinating examples from history help explain the determining factors of migration. Readers will fascinated to read about the settling the Nile in ancient Egypt; the Industrial Revolution in Britain; the opening up of the American West; the Gold Rush; and the colonization of Australia.
Urban sprawl by Barbara M Linde
Call Number: NF 307.76 LIN
ISBN: 9781433998683
Publication Date: 2014
From coast to coast and from north to south, our cities are growing. Sometimes they spread out in all directions without much planning or thought. This is known as urban sprawl. Urban sprawl causes problems for people, plants, and animals. It creates havoc within habitats. Readers will find out the effects of urban sprawl on habitats all over the world. They'll read about the problems faced by grizzly bears, alligators, and many other animals.

Changing Nations: Home

99% Invisible

The Urbanist

Third Wave Urbanism