(a) Highlight any four characteristics of urban centres. (b) Explain four ways in which urban centres depend on their surrounding rural areas. (c) Describe three problems facing rural areas.
Explanation
(a) Characteristics of urban centres; (i) Densely populated. (ii) Seats of administration. (iii) Well built-up area. (iv) Presence of social amenities. (v) Poor waste management. (vi) Population is heterogeneous. (vii) Population engaged in secondary and tertiary activities. (viii) Congestion. (ix) Low rate of inter-personal relationship. (b) Ways in which urban centres depend on rural areas. (i) Market for manufactured goods - clothes, jewelries and other consumer goods. (ii) Country home for some retired civil servants. (iii) Provision of wood for fuel. (iv) Provision of herbs. (v) Cultural preservation e.g. art and crafts. (c) Problems of rural areas. (i) Rural depopulation (ii) Inadequate social amenities (iii) Inadequate infrastructure (iv) Slow rate of development such as banks, insurance etc. (v) Loss of farm labour. (vi) Low agricultural production.