Why does quality of life vary so much within one megacity? [Case Study] Typeit

Land use and value are not the same throughout a city. Various geographers have produced different models over the years to try and classify the cities of the developed and developing world - while each city is unique, they do often conform to various trends.

For example, most cities throughout the world have a concentrated heart of offices, cafes, entertainment and economic focus called the central district, which is very accessible. Because cities develop outwards, many of the  buildings are near the centre. Sectors of industry may develop along  roads. Some of the most  houses may be located in upmarket areas in and near the centre of the city, but many people will live in the  - the bulk of housing between the centre and edge of the city. In emerging countries, large areas of informal settlements called  (or shanty towns or favelas) may develop on the edge of the city - often on poor-quality and marginal land.

Good transport links on the edges of cities have led to the development of out-of-town  centres where large retailers set up big stores, and the large amounts of space (not available in the city centre) can help the location of business parks, and  where goods are produced. The rent here is much  than in the phenomenally expensive city centre. But planners may restrict certain developments in some parts of cities - for example, they might ban polluting industries from the city centre, and stipulate that new developments occur on derelict sites that have been built on before, called field sites.