Demographic Transition Model Overview

Demographic Transition Model

• A model illustrating the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.
• Shows gradual population change.

Stages of Demographic Transition

• Stage 1 (Pre-transition): High birth and death rates (natural increase rate ~ replacement rate). Hunting and trapping common, simple subsistence farming. Many children are needed as workers. Harsh living conditions.
• Stage 2 (Early transition): High birth rate, low death rate (high natural increase rate). Improved agriculture, food storage, sanitation, and technology lead to lower death rates.
• Stage 3 (Late transition): Lower birth rate, low death rate (lower natural increase rate). Accelerated urbanization and increased agricultural productivity. Fewer children as parents are confident their children will survive.
• Stage 4 (Post-transition): Low birth rate, low death rate (natural increase rate equals replacement rate). Accelerating urbanization, increased technology, and a rise in women's roles in the workforce.

Replacement Rate

• The total fertility rate required for a stable population.
• Usually considered 2.1.

Population Implosion

• A drastic decrease in population.

Population Groups

• Group 1: Post-transition. Countries like Canada with low birth and death rates and high life standards, and strong economies. Governments aiming for economic stability. Environmentally friendly laws are passed.
• Group 2: Generally in stage 3 and moving towards stage 4. Examples include China, Brazil, and Turkey. Low death rate, birth rates near stage 4 level
• Group 3: Later part of stage 2 or early stage 3.High birth rates and low death rates. Some countries experience economic growth that causes population growth. But if these countries do not have enough money to support their populations, they cannot transition (demography trap). Demographic transition is hindered by wars, droughts, and inefficent government.

Government Foreign Aid

• Wealthy countries provide assistance (Official Development Assistance) to developing nations.
• Focus on helping countries achieve demographic transition as quickly as possible.

Land Use In Our Cities And Towns

Liveability

• Characteristics in a community that contribute to quality of life (economy, education, opportunities).

Sustainability

• Maintaining quality of life within our planet's carrying capacity.

Carrying Capacity

• The environment's ability to support a population without environmental damage.

Land Use

• Different functions of land in urban and rural areas.

Parts of Transportation Systems

• Vehicles (trains, trucks, cars, bikes, buses)
• Travel paths (expressways, arterials, collectors, local roads)
• Terminal facilities (stations, rail yards, airports, parking lots)

Residential Density

• A measurement of housing units per hectare.
• Influenced by land cost and neighborhood age.

Influences of Residential Density

• Lifestyle preferences (e.g., maintenance needs of houses).
• Transportation options (e.g., public transit).
• Microclimates (e.g., warmer areas in densely populated regions).

Factors affecting Residential Density

• Land cost (costlier land usually results in higher density).
• Construction of high-rises/skyscrapers (results in higher residential density).
• Age of neighbourhoods (older neighbourhoods often have lower densities).

Types of Commercial Land Use

• Neighbourhood stores/plazas: Lower-order goods (banks, small supermarkets, hairdressers).
• Community shopping centres: Lower to middle-order goods (clothing stores, travel agents).
• Regional shopping centres: Lower to middle-order goods (department stores).
• Central business district: Higher-order goods (major department stores).