Write a paragraph on after effect of urbanization in 150 words
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Answer:
Urbanization (or urbanisation) refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change.[1] It is predominantly the process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.[2]
Although the two concepts are sometimes used interchangeably, urbanization should be distinguished from urban growth. Whereas urbanization refers to the proportion of the total national population living in areas classified as urban, urban growth strictly refers to the absolute number of people living in those areas.[3] The United Nations has projected that half of the world's population will live in urban areas at the end of 2008.[4] It is predicted that by 2050 about 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be urbanized.[5] That is equivalent to approximately 3 billion urbanites by 2050, much of which will occur in Africa and Asia.[6] Notably, the United Nations has also recently projected that nearly all global population growth from 2017 to 2030 will be by cities, with about 1.1 billion new urbanites over the next 10 years.[7]
Answer:
Effects of Urbanization on Our Cities
1. Positive Effects of Urbanization
Urbanization yields several positive effects if it happens within the appropriate limits. Some of the positive implications of urbanization, therefore, include the creation of employment opportunities, technological and infrastructural advancements, improved transportation and communication, quality educational and medical facilities, and improved standards of living.
2. Housing Problems
Urbanization attracts people to cities and towns which leads to a high population increase. With the increase in the number of people living in urban centers, there is a continued scarcity of houses.
3. Overcrowding
Overcrowding is a situation whereby a huge number of people live in a small space. This form of congestion in urban areas is consistent because of overpopulation and it is an aspect that increases day by day as more people and immigrants move into cities and towns in search of a better life.
4. Unemployment
The problem of joblessness is highest in urban areas and it is even higher among educated people. It is estimated that more than half of unemployed youths around the globe live in metropolitan cities.
5. Development of Slums
The cost of living in urban areas is very high. When this is combined with random and unexpected growth as well as unemployment, there is the spread of unlawful resident settlements represented by slums and squatters.
6. Water and Sanitation Problems
Because of overpopulation and rapid population increase in most urban centers, it is common to find there are inadequate sewage facilities.
Municipalities and local governments are faced with serious resource crisis in the management of sewage facilities.
7. Poor Health and Spread of Diseases
The social, economic and living conditions in congested urban areas affects access and utilization of public health care services. Slum areas in particular experience poor sanitation and insufficient water supply which generally make slum populations susceptible to communicable diseases.
8. Traffic Congestion
When more people move to towns and cities, one of the major challenges posed is in the transport system. More people means an increased number of vehicles which leads to traffic congestion and vehicular pollution.
Many people in urban areas drive to work and this creates a severe traffic problem, especially during rush hours.
9. Urban Crime
Issues of lack of resources, overcrowding, unemployment, poverty, and lack of social services and education habitually lead to many social problems including violence, drug abuse, and crime.