Urbanization

Urbanization

Urbanization is the process in which people move from rural to urban areas, leading to a decrease in the rural population and necessitating adjustments in societal structures to accommodate this shift.

Causes of Urbanization

1. Natural Population Increase: Occurs when births surpass deaths, increasing overall population.
2. Rural to Urban Migration:

• Pull Factors:
  • Employment Opportunities: Better job prospects.
  • Educational Institutions: Access to schools and universities.
  • Urban Lifestyle: Improved living standards and amenities.
• Push Factors:
  • Poor Living Conditions: Lack of basic amenities.
  • Limited Opportunities: Scarcity of jobs and educational resources.
  • Inadequate Health Care: Poor access to medical services.

Global Urbanization Trends

• Northern America: 82% urban population.
• Latin America & Caribbean: 81% urban population.
• Europe: 74% urban population.
• Oceania: 68% urban population.
• Asia: Approximately 50% urban population.
• Africa: 43% urban population, predominantly rural.

Significance of Urban Living

1.Access to Facilities:

• Higher Literacy & Education: Improved educational opportunities.
• Better Health:Improved healthcare access and increased life expectancy.
• Social Services: Increased availability of social services and cultural participation.

2.Access to Information:

• Information Dissemination: Better access to information on health, family planning, etc.
• Informed Decisions: Improved awareness leading to reduced family sizes and healthier living practices.

Individualism:

• Opportunity Multiplicity: Greater personal freedom and career choices.
• Reduced Social Control: More autonomy in decision-making and lifestyle choices.

Issues Associated with Urbanization

1. Excessive Population Pressure: Overburdened public utilities, leading to slums, crime, unemployment, pollution, and congestion.
2. Overflowing Slums:

• Statistics: Approximately 13.7 million slum households in India, housing around 65.49 million people.
• Conditions: High density and poor living conditions.

1. Inadequate Housing: Many urban dwellers live in congested, substandard housing. Over half of Indian urban households occupy single-room spaces with an average occupancy of 4.4 persons per room.
2. Unplanned Development: Development often exacerbates socio economic divides, creating stark contrasts between rich and poor areas.
3. Pandemic-Induced Problems: Severe effects on slum dwellers due to lockdowns and economic disruptions.
4. Non-Inclusive Welfare Schemes: Welfare benefits often fail to reach marginalized communities due to the informal status of slum settlements.

Way Forward

1.Sustainable Urbanization:

• Goal: Effectively manage urban growth, particularly in rapidly urbanizing low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
• Strategies: Integrate policies that improve rural and urban lives, strengthen urban-rural linkages

2.Improving Access to Health Facilities & Welfare Schemes:

• Measures: Enhance the efficiency of welfare schemes, provide free vaccines, ensure food security, and improve shelter in slums.
• Support: Aid nonprofits and local bodies to reach marginalized communities.

3.New Approaches for Urbanization:

• Planning: Adopt innovative urban planning and governance strategies.
• Bottom-Up Approach: Understand and address unique challenges faced by urban poor through participatory methods

Urban settlements

Urban settlements are densely populated areas with complex infrastructure and functions. Their classification and characteristics can vary significantly based on several factors.

Growth and Historical Context

• Rapid Growth: Urban growth has accelerated recently, with only a few settlements reaching significant populations before the 19th century. By around A.D. 1810, London was the first city to exceed one million residents. As of 1982, about 175 cities worldwide had populations over one million. Today, over 54% of the global population lives in urban areas, compared to just 3% in 1800.

Classification of Urban Settlements

1. By Population Size:

• Low Thresholds: Countries set different population thresholds for defining urban areas. For example:
  • Colombia: 1,500 people
  • India: 5,000 people
  • Japan: 30,000 people
• Criteria: Density, percentage of non-agricultural workers, and administrative status also influence classification.

2. By Occupational Structure:

• Economic Activities: In some countries, a settlement is considered urban based on the predominant economic activities:
• India: Requires 75% of economically active population in non-agricultural sectors.
• Italy: Requires more than 50% in non-agricultural activities.

3. By Administration:

• Administrative Setup: Some regions classify settlements as urban based on administrative functions:
• India: Any settlement with a municipality or similar body is urban.
• Latin America: Administrative centers are considered urban regardless of population size.

4. By Location and Function:

• Function-Based Location: Urban centers are often situated based on their specific functions:
• Defense and Trade: Historically, sites were chosen for strategic defense or trade.
• Modern Technology: Advances allow for urban centers to be established far from traditional resources.
• Examples: Mining towns need mineral resources; tourist towns require attractive features.

Functions of Urban Centers

Urban centers serve multiple functions, which can evolve over time. These include:

1. Administrative Towns:

• National Capitals: Cities housing central government offices (e.g., New Delhi, Washington D.C.).
• Provincial Capitals: Cities serving regional administrative functions (e.g., Chennai).

2. Trading and Commercial Towns:

• Market Towns: Agricultural centers and inland trade hubs (e.g., Winnipeg, Manchester).
• Financial Centers: Banking and financial hubs (e.g., Frankfurt, Amsterdam).
• Transport Nodes: Important transport junctions (e.g., Lahore, Agra).

3. Cultural Towns: Religious Significance: Cities of pilgrimage and religious importance (e.g., Jerusalem, Varanasi).

4. Specialized Towns:

• Industrial: Cities focused on manufacturing (e.g., Pittsburgh, Jamshedpur).
• Mining: Centers for extraction activities (e.g., Dhanbad).
• Tourism and Recreation: Cities known for tourism and recreational activities (e.g., Miami, Panaji).

Classification of Urban Settlements by Form

Urban settlements can be classified based on their shapes, which are influenced by historical, cultural, and geographical factors. These classifications include:

1. Linear Pattern: Description: Settlements extend in a line along roads, rivers, or valleys. Cities along major transport routes.
2. Square Pattern: Urban areas are organized in a grid-like fashion with streets intersecting at right angles.
3. Star Pattern:Roads extend outward from a central point, resembling the shape of a star. Cities developed around a central hub or administrative center.
4. Crescent Pattern: Settlements are shaped in a crescent around a particular feature or resource. Historical cities along coastlines or rivers.

Case Studies of Urban Settlements

1. Addis Ababa:

• Overview: Established in 1878, located on a hill-valley topography.
• Road Pattern: Radiates from central roundabouts like Piazza and Arat.
• Features: Notable for its large market (Mercato), educational institutions, and transportation links (e.g., Djibouti-Addis Ababa rail route).
• Growth: Rapid due to its multifunctional nature and central location in Ethiopia.

2. Canberra:

• Overview:The planned capital of Australia, **Canberra**, was designed by Walter Burley Griffin in 1912.
• Design: Envisaged as a garden city with five main centers for different functions.
• Features: Expansive parks and gardens, has expanded to include satellite towns.

Types of Urban Settlements

1. Town:

• Characteristics: Smaller than cities; may have functions like manufacturing and trade but lacks the complexity and size of cities.
• Contrast: Towns are distinct from villages by their economic functions and infrastructure.

2. City:

• Characteristics: larger and more complex than towns, featuring major economic functions, transport hubs, and financial institutions.
• Million City: A city with a population surpassing one million.

3. Conurbation:

• Definition: A large urban region created by the merging of multiple towns or cities is known as a **conurbation**.
• Examples: Greater London, Manchester, Chicago, Tokyo.

4. Million City:

• Overview: Cities with populations exceeding one million.
• Historical Growth: London reached this status in 1800, with the number increasing significantly to 512 by 2016 and projected to reach 662 by 2030.

5. Megalopolis:

• Definition: A super-metropolitan region formed by the union of several conurbations.
• Example: The urban corridor from Boston to Washington D.C. in the USA.

Distribution of Mega Cities

• Definition: Cities with populations over 10 million, including their suburbs.
• Historical Context: New York became the first mega city by 1950.
• Current Statistics: There are currently 31 mega cities, with a notable increase in developing countries over the past 50 years compared to developed nations.

Problems of Human Settlements in Developing Countries

Urban settlements in developing countries face a range of challenges that stem from rapid growth, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities. Here’s a concise overview of these problems:

1. Economic Problems:

• Migration: Decreasing job opportunities in rural and smaller urban areas drive migration to cities, resulting in an oversupply of unskilled and semi-skilled labor.
• Labor Saturation: Urban areas become saturated with a large, often unskilled workforce, exacerbating unemployment and underemployment issues.

2. Socio-Cultural Problems:

• Infrastructure Deficit: Limited financial resources lead to inadequate social infrastructure, affecting education, healthcare, and other essential services.
• Access Issues: Poor and marginalized urban populations often lack access to quality education and health facilities.
• Crime and Social Issues: High unemployment and inadequate education contribute to increased crime rates. Male-dominated migration patterns can distort local sex ratios.

3. Environmental Problems:

• Water Supply and Waste Management: Cities struggle to provide sufficient potable water and manage waste effectively. Inefficient sewer systems exacerbate health risks.
• Pollution: Extensive use of traditional fuels and poor waste management contribute to air and water pollution.
• Heat Islands: Large concrete structures and dense urban areas contribute to the “urban heat island” effect, raising local temperatures.

4. Urban Congestion and Housing Issues:

• Overcrowding: Rapid urbanization results in overcrowded housing and streets, often accompanied by a significant rise in slums and informal settlements.
• Substandard Housing: A significant portion of the urban population lives in illegal or substandard housing, such as slums and squatter settlements.
• Growth of Slums: In many cities, illegal settlements grow faster than planned urban areas, creating additional challenges for urban management.