Urbanization: Cons & Pros

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 WHAT IS URBANIZATION?

Urbanization refers to the mass movement of populations from rural to urban settings and the consequent physical changes to urban settings. In 2019 the UN estimated that more than half the world's population (4.2 billion people) now live in an urban areas and by 2041, this figure will move around 6 billion people. It has been associated with human development and progress, but recent studies have shown that urban settings can also lead to significant inequalities and health problems. Accordingly, urbanization is very common in developing and developed worlds as more and more people have the tendency of moving closer to towns and cities to acquire “privileged” social and economic services as well as benefits. These include social and economic advantages such as better education, health care, sanitation, housing, business opportunities, and transportation. The majority of people move to cities and towns because they view rural areas as places with hardship and backward/primitive lifestyles. Therefore, as populations move to more developed areas (towns and cities) the immediate outcome is urbanization. This normally contributes to the development of land for use in commercial properties, social and economic support institutions, transportation, and residential buildings. Eventually, these activities raise several urbanization issues. 

URBANIZATION: ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES: 

Ø Technology and Infrastructure: There is an enhancement in technology and infrastructure as more resources join in to build and contribute.

Ø Transport and communication: It give better facility in carrying things from one place to another. Hence, it improves transport services, including communication with varied people from different walks of life as there is a mix of cultures and ethnicities from across the country.

Ø Nation’s growth: Population moving from one place to another impacts the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as their standard of living transforms accordingly.

DISADVANTAGES: 

Ø Occupancy: When large numbers of people migrate over a short period, overcrowding becomes an issue, often seen in cities in developing nations. One could feel more pressure and stress when such things happen in their city.

Ø Housing: It slowly becomes inadequate when people shift to cities across the country. The chaotic or improper way of urbanization leads to housing shortages. Flats and smaller apartments are built rather than houses with larger gardens to generate more space.

Ø Risk of transmission: Slums and poor sanitation create a threat for the people when urbanization occurs informally. Inadequate drinking water facilities, insufficient sewage problems can cause asthma and other diseases. Germs pollute the environment while people change their places.

Ø Traffic: It does not slow down but increases as populations increase, leading to environmental pollution. It is a concern for human health. Studies suggest that pollution lowers life expectancy in Mexico City.

Ø Crime: After the people migrate, there is a situation of unemployment with large job seekers; one tries their chances on activities that lead to crimes.


SOLUTIONS TO URBANIZATION


·       Building Sustainable and Environmentally-friendly Cities

·       Provisions of essential services.

·       creation of more jobs.

·       population control

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