Urbanization
Urbanization refers to the movement of the population from rural areas to urban areas. It is
essentially the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas. Furthermore,
urbanization is quite a popular trend in the contemporary world. Moreover, people mostly undertake
urbanization due to more work opportunities and a better standard of living. According to the expert
prediction, by 2050, 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be
urbanized.
Causes of Urbanization
 First of all, political causes play a big role in urbanization. Many people get forced to leave
rural areas for urban areas due to political unrest. Therefore, many families go to urban areas
in search of food, shelter, and employment.
 Another important cause of urbanization is an economic cause. Furthermore, poverty is a
widespread phenomenon in rural areas. Moreover, farmers are finding it very hard to earn
enough money and make a living. Consequently, rural people move to urban areas in search
of better job opportunities.
 Education is a strong cause of urbanization. Urban areas offer opportunities for seeking highquality education. Moreover, urbanization offers opportunities for studying at universities
and technical colleges. Such handsome education opportunities attract many young people in
rural areas to move to urban areas.
 Environmental degradation also plays a part in contributing to urbanization. Deforestation
destroys the natural habitat of many farming families. Furthermore, mining and industrial
expansion also harm the natural habitat of farming families.
 The social cause is another notable reason for urbanization. Many young rural people migrate
to urban areas in order to seek a better lifestyle. Moreover, many young people want to
escape the conservative culture of rural areas. Most noteworthy, urban areas offer a more
easy-going liberal lifestyle. Furthermore, cities have clubs to attract youth.
Benefits of Urbanization
 First of all, urban areas are much more efficient in providing resources than rural areas.
Important and basic amenities like housing, clean water, and electricity are easily available in
urban areas.
 People in urban areas find it quite easy to access to various important services. Most
noteworthy, these services are high-quality education, expert health care, convenient
transportation, entertainment, etc. Furthermore, some or all of the services are unavailable in
rural areas.
 Urban areas offer better employment opportunities. Furthermore, these employment
opportunities are the result of industrialization and commercialization.
 Urban areas play a critical role as creators and disseminators of knowledge. This is because
of the highly connected urbanized world. Most noteworthy, the geographical proximity of
people in urban areas helps in the propagation of ideas.
 Urban areas enjoy the benefits of technological development. Furthermore, many types of
technologies get implemented in urban areas. Moreover, urban people quickly get in touch
with the latest technology. In contrast, many rural individuals remain ignorant of many types
of technologies.
To sum it up, urbanization is a process which is on a continuous rise. Furthermore, urbanization
ensures the transformation of rural culture into urban culture. Moreover, the government must be
vigilant to the rapidly increasing urbanization. A fully urbanized world looks like the ultimate
destiny of our world.
FAQs on Urbanization
Q1 State any two causes for urbanization?
A1 Any two causes for urbanization are high-quality education and good job opportunities in urban
areas.
Q2 Why urban areas offer better employment opportunities?
A2 Urban areas offer better employment opportunities due to high industrialization and
commercialization.
Source: https://www.toppr.com/guides/essays/essay-on-urbanization/
Positive Effects of Urbanization
Here is a detailed look at the positive effects of Urbanization:
 Efficiency: Urban areas are more efficient in providing resources than rural areas. Basic
amenities such as clean water, housing and electricity are easily provided.
 Accessibility: Apart from the basic resources people in urban areas get easy access to health
care and medical facilities, higher and better education, transport, entertainment etc.
 Better Employment: People from rural areas often migrate to urban areas in search of better
employment opportunities. Due to industrialization and commercialization there are several
job and business opportunities available in cities.
 Education: There are more schools, universities and colleges in urban areas as compared to
rural areas. Students migrate to urban areas for higher or better education with or without
their families. Students can choose from a variety of career options available in cities for
their bright future.
 Health care: There are several health care and medical facilities available in urban areas as
compared to rural areas.
 Better social amalgamation: Urbanization promotes cultural and social fusion. People of
various religions, castes and gender work and socialize together breaking down the norms of
social and cultural barriers.
Main Causes of Urbanization
Here are some of the main causes of Urbanization:
1. Industrialization
2. Commercialization
3. Social benefits
4. Employment opportunities
5. Modernization
6. Government
7. Better Education
Here is a look at these factors in brief:
 Industrialization
Industrialization is the concept of moving from agricultural sector to industrial sector.
Industrialization creates economic growth and employment opportunities. With industrial revolution
in developing and developed countries, more and more people are moving from rural areas to urban
areas for better employment opportunities.
 Commercialization
Modern-day trade and commerce also result in Urbanization. In modern times, development of
marketing institutions and methods of trade have significantly contributed to Urbanization. There
are better commercial opportunities and returns in urban areas than in rural areas. As a result, people
are tempted to urban areas.
 Social Benefits
There are several social benefits in urban areas compared to rural areas like better education, better
health care, transport, sanitation and social status. Better recreational facilities are available such as
play grounds, theatres, parks and clubs. Thus, people move to urban areas for enjoying the benefits
of modern lifestyle.
 Employment Opportunities
In rural areas people mainly have to depend on agricultural sector for their living whereas in the
urban areas there are several employment opportunities in various sectors such as education, health
care, transport, banking, media, television and sports to name a few.
Agricultural sector mainly depends on monsoon. In times of natural calamities and drought, people
have to migrate to urban areas in search of employment. With modern farming technology
manpower needed in farming sector is decreased leading to Urbanization.
 Modernization
Urban areas are characterized by new technology, infrastructural development, better health care
and medical facilities, liberalization and better standard of living. This induces people from
backward and rural areas to move to urban areas.
 Government
The management of administration is also responsible for Urbanization. The government has not
maintained the rapidity with city growth in terms of infrastructure management or spatial.
 Better Education
As compared to rural areas there are better education facilities available in urban areas. The schools
and colleges providing professional education are all located in urban areas. Thus young girls and
boys either alone or with their families shift to urban areas to seek quality education.
Conclusion
Poverty and economic degradation are the major problems rising with Urbanization that need
serious attention. Planning and investment in sustainable industries, eco-friendly infrastructure and
eco-friendly technology is essential. Encouraging the use of eco-friendly products and technology
among the masses is vital. Creating more and more job opportunities and equality will help fight
poverty.
Problems Due to Urbanization
Given below are the problems that we face due to Urbanization:
 Overcrowding
Overcrowding means over population in the urban areas due to migration. Cities where the
population is rising every single day are getting overcrowded. This is the current situation in all the
big cities in India. Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi are some of the examples of overcrowded
cities.
 Housing
When the population increases, the demand for housing also increases. The factors that are mainly
responsible for the lack of housing facilities are lack of financial resources, poverty and
unemployment.
 Unemployment
The chief cause of unemployment is over population in the urban areas due to migration of people
from rural locations to these areas. The growth in economic opportunities fails to keep pace with
growth in urban population.
 Slum Areas
The unplanned growth in the urban areas is growing the spread of slums. Rise in slum settlements in
India is a striking feature. Urbanization, poverty and overpopulation, has increased the growth of
slums as high rate of land and property in urban areas is beyond the reach of rural migrants and
urban poor.
 Transport
Large use of vehicles for transport has increased traffic congestion making the movement slow and
difficult.
 Urban Crime
With the rise in urban population there is rise in poverty and unemployment. Due to poverty there is
rise in crimes like theft, pick pocketing, cheating and murders.
 Air Pollution
Urbanization is a major cause of air pollution and global warming. Industries release greenhouse
gases causing rise in the temperature of the earth and creating air pollution. Larger use of vehicles
release gases by fuel combustion. Large amount of garbage from the landfills is burnt causing air
pollution.
 Water
Water is the most important element of nature to sustain life. Due to overcrowding in the cities the
supply of water is falling short compared to the demand.
 Trash Disposal
As the number of citizens grow in urban areas the problem of trash disposal rises. The large quantity
of garbage in the cities increases severe health issues. In most of the areas in cities there is no
garbage disposal facility. When the landfills get full innumerable poisons leak around its
surroundings, inviting diseases, like malaria, diarrhoea, typhoid, etc. Air travel also carries bacteria
from one person to another spreading disease even more.
Ways to Keep Urbanization in Check
Here are some ways to keep Urbanization in check:
 Employment
The chief reason of Urbanization is the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas in search
of employment opportunities. Developing agricultural and rural industries will provide employment
opportunities in rural areas.
 Infrastructural Development in Rural Areas
Construction of roads, buildings, hospitals, parks, educational centres, etc. is vital for rural
development. This will help rural people get better education and health care locally and also
provide more job opportunities. Government should develop transport networks and related
infrastructure.
 Overall Development
Industrial and private sector development in rural areas is necessary. The focus of government
should be nationwide Urbanization. Planning and investment in Urbanization of rural areas is
essential.
 Population Control
Over population is also a chief cause for Urbanization. Educating people about family planning and
creating awareness among the rural communities is crucial.
 Global Warming
One of the major problems of Urbanization rapidly rising is global warming. Use of renewable
energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, hydropower should be encouraged. Investments in
energy efficient industries and technologies will lead to clean economy. Reforestation instead of
deforestation should be promoted.
Conclusion
Urbanization is on a rapid increase in our country. While it is good that our country is progressing
and that more and more people want to lead a modern life, get better education and good
employment opportunities, Urbanization can have negative repercussions as well. It is thus essential
to control Urbanization.
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