Urbanisation and Megacities Investigation Project

Megacity: Tokyo
Australasian City: Melbourne

By Noor Succar 8E

Noor Succar 8E | 1
JAPAN (TOKYO)

Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolis

Population: 13.23 million

Area: 2,188 km
Density (people per km): 6046

AT LEVEL (TOKYO)
Q1. What is Tokyo like?
Tokyo is a huge city and is mainly office and residential high rise buildings. The city is
so populous that wherever you go there will always be people around you. The
convenience of everything being close by and compact has reduced and almost
eliminated the use of cars. The dominant use of transport is travelling via train,
though the large train routes, lines (12 train lines currently existing) and stations can
be confusing at first. Trains are almost never late or delayed due to the impeccable
public transport system; the instance of a late train is very rare and it is considered
rude and disrespectful to be late to work, meeting or visiting someone. Approximately
90% of Tokyo workers commute by train. The majority of Japans natural disasters
are earthquakes and tsunamis, and although they may be dangerous and lifethreatening, civilians are trained for what to do in the presence of natural disaster.
Tokyo is very clean because citizens take great pride in the presentation of their city;
you will rarely see rubbish and graffiti in the streets.
Q3. Reasons why people have moved to Tokyo:
1. Tokyo has the latest technology advancement in the world; due to their
innovation, our everyday lives are constantly re-invented and improved.
2. There are high rates of income and employment in Japan, the average salary for
a male is up to 250,000 Japanese Yen ($2,600), or even more depending on the
job, every month.
3. They have a great medical insurance policy, even if you are a foreigner (providing
you are employed). It is only required to pay 30% of medical bills, as well as the
daily flat rate to pay for the insurance.
4. Japan is heavily culture-based and many festivals are celebrated every year. The
enforce tradition and are and insight into the history of Tokyo and other parts of
Japan.
5. The food in Tokyo as well as the rest of Japan is very healthy and balanced. Only
recently have the American fast foods become available. The obesity rates are
very low as well due to the nutritional foods.
6. Tokyo is a very safe city and the crime rates within all of Japan are very low. It is
very safe to go out at night without the risk of something bad happening.

TOKYO STATISTICS

Pollution

This map shows that Tokyo could improve their rates of pollution, as they are quite high,
and potentially introduce environmentally friendly techniques and procedures to help
reduce Japans carbon footprint. The map proves this to be possible because the map
indicates that there are first world countries with large populations, such as the USA or
United Kingdom, whose pollution rates are significantly lower than Japans.

This graph shows the increase of population in Tokyo from 1920 to 2011. There is a
noticeable drop in population between the years of 1940 and 1945. This is because the
Pacific War, which started in 1941, had greatly impacted Tokyo, killing over half of the
population. The population continues to increase every year but recently fertility rates
have decreased, resulting in a slowing of population increase.

TOKYO STATISTICS

The hottest months of the year are July, August, and September, the hottest month being
August, with the highest average temperature of 31 Celsius. The coldest months of the year
v
include January, February, and December, the coldest
month being January with the coldest
average temperature of 10 Celsius.

The month with the highest amount of precipitation (230mm) is October. The month with the
lowest amount of precipitation (45mm) is December. The month with the highest average days
of rainfall (19) is June. The month with the lowest average days of rainfall (9) is December.

AUSTRALIA (MELBOURNE)

Population: 4.35 million (as of June 2013)

Area: 8,806 km
Density (people per km): 494

AT LEVEL (MELBOURNE)
Q1. What is Melbourne like?
Melbourne is a city very much based on diversity and culture. Wherever you look
there are restaurants, shops, and festivals of different cultures. The architecture
within the CBD is amazing and many visit Melbourne to view the innovatively
designed structures. Melbourne is not subjective to many natural disasters; the
occasional tremor is felt, but no harm is done. The most damaging disasters are bush
fires, but these do not occur unless in rural and dry areas, at the outer edges of
Melbourne. Melbourne has been most recently named the most liveable city in the
world, receiving nearly full marks. Scores above 80 in the survey are considered
good; Melbourne achieved 97.5, only losing marks for climate, petty crime and
culture. Although the public transport system is not as efficient as Japans, it is
efficient enough. Melbourne is also named the shopping capital within Australia,
attracting tourists to come shop. One of the most famous markets is the Queen
Victoria Market, which has been open ever since 1878, and is a big part of
Melbournes history.

Q3. Reasons why people have moved to Melbourne in the past:

1. The gold rush attracted thousands of foreigners over 100 years ago to come
panning for gold, raising the population from 0 to 123,000.
2. Melbourne is very diverse and many foreign cultures live there. It is suitable for
foreign immigrants to move to Melbourne because it is almost definite that there
are people and buildings from their country to help them settle in.
3. Australia has a democratic system, unlike other countries such as China and
Syria. People from countries not as fortunate as Australia may move to
Melbourne to have the right to vote and to escape their government system.

MELBOURNE STATISTICS

Pollution

Melbournes pollution is not extreme, but it is not non-existent either. It is essential that
sustainability plans are introduced to reduce the impact that Melbourne is making on the
atmosphere.

As you can see, Melbournes population has been steadily rising. The
most significant rise in population was during the gold rush. The
increase in population was massive due to the amount of foreigners
entering the country to com pan for gold in Melbourne.

MELBOURNE STATISTICS

The months with the highest amount of precipitation (48mm) are October, November and
December. The month with the lowest amount of precipitation (31mm) is March. The months
with the highest average days of rainfall (15) are June, July, August, September, and October. The
months with the lowest average days of rainfall (9) are February and March.

The hottest months of the year are January, February, and December, the hottest months being
January and February, with the highest average temperatures of 31 Celsius. The coldest months
of the year include June, July and August, the coldest months being July and August with the
coldest average temperature of 5 Celsius.

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