6.3.1.1 Asia
Asia contains many regions with a monsoonal climate. Given that the extent of
annual fluctuation in monthly rainfall correlates positively with population density,
in monsoonal Asia, where there is a large extent in fluctuation, there are many highdensity cities. For that reason, with regard to population density, monsoonal Asia’s
megacities can be described as fundamentally “compact” in nature. The possibility
therefore exists for patterns of settlement to be present in those regions that accumulate populations efficiently.
On the other hand, there is a comparatively large number of cities in Asia whose
urban area contains a high percentage of farmland, and due to this urban areas of the
cities tend to be complex. For that reason, from the aspect of urban area shape, these
cities cannot necessarily be described as compact by nature. In monsoonal Asia,
populations can be accumulated efficiently, and urban areas of the cities tend to
expand easily in a dispersed manner. These factors probably make these regions a
breeding ground for megacities. Finally, the trend for these regions is that their
populations will continue to increase, and their per capita GDP is also projected to
grow. For these reasons, it is thought that its urban areas will become ever more
complex in the future.
6.3.1.2 Africa and the Middle East
The only very large sub-Saharan cities are Lagos and Kinshasa, and most of the large
cities in Africa and the Middle East lie in mid-latitude arid regions. Because rainfall
here correlates negatively with population density, many cities in these regions have
a high average population density. Although Lagos and Kinshasa have no small
levels of rainfall, it is thought that they have become high-density settlements
because the extent of annual fluctuation in its monthly rainfall is to some extent
considerable.
At the same time, this region has many cities whose urban area shape is comparatively noncomplex. The reasons for it are thought to be that these cities tend to be
located in areas with high annual average temperatures and high elevation diversity.
Because, however, like in Asian cities the trend for particular cities in this region is
greater population and economic growth, there is the possibility that these will come
to have complex urban shapes in the future. At present, Cairo is the sole megacity in
Africa and the Middle East, and of the cities in that region, its urban area has a
comparatively complex shape. The reason for that is thought to be due to Cairo’s
location in the Nile Delta with its extensive areas of fertile agricultural land, its urban
area contains a large percentage of farmland, which correlates with RPI.
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Y. Uchiyama and K. Hayashi
Asia contains many regions with a monsoonal climate. Given that the extent of
annual fluctuation in monthly rainfall correlates positively with population density,
in monsoonal Asia, where there is a large extent in fluctuation, there are many highdensity cities. For that reason, with regard to population density, monsoonal Asia’s
megacities can be described as fundamentally “compact” in nature. The possibility
therefore exists for patterns of settlement to be present in those regions that accumulate populations efficiently.
On the other hand, there is a comparatively large number of cities in Asia whose
urban area contains a high percentage of farmland, and due to this urban areas of the
cities tend to be complex. For that reason, from the aspect of urban area shape, these
cities cannot necessarily be described as compact by nature. In monsoonal Asia,
populations can be accumulated efficiently, and urban areas of the cities tend to
expand easily in a dispersed manner. These factors probably make these regions a
breeding ground for megacities. Finally, the trend for these regions is that their
populations will continue to increase, and their per capita GDP is also projected to
grow. For these reasons, it is thought that its urban areas will become ever more
complex in the future.
6.3.1.2 Africa and the Middle East
The only very large sub-Saharan cities are Lagos and Kinshasa, and most of the large
cities in Africa and the Middle East lie in mid-latitude arid regions. Because rainfall
here correlates negatively with population density, many cities in these regions have
a high average population density. Although Lagos and Kinshasa have no small
levels of rainfall, it is thought that they have become high-density settlements
because the extent of annual fluctuation in its monthly rainfall is to some extent
considerable.
At the same time, this region has many cities whose urban area shape is comparatively noncomplex. The reasons for it are thought to be that these cities tend to be
located in areas with high annual average temperatures and high elevation diversity.
Because, however, like in Asian cities the trend for particular cities in this region is
greater population and economic growth, there is the possibility that these will come
to have complex urban shapes in the future. At present, Cairo is the sole megacity in
Africa and the Middle East, and of the cities in that region, its urban area has a
comparatively complex shape. The reason for that is thought to be due to Cairo’s
location in the Nile Delta with its extensive areas of fertile agricultural land, its urban
area contains a large percentage of farmland, which correlates with RPI.
120
Y. Uchiyama and K. Hayashi