Urbanization Dynamics: Growth, Challenges, and Global Shifts

Urbanization is a process of urban growth that leads to a greater proportion of people being concentrated into towns or cities.

Historical Context of Urban Growth

Towns and cities grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. The 19th century also saw an agricultural revolution, where new farm machinery reduced the need for labor on farms. This prompted people to move to towns where jobs were available in factories.

Towns and cities continued growing in the 20th century, causing rural depopulation and issues in rundown inner-city areas.

Causes of Urbanization in Developing Nations

• Rural-to-urban migration.
• High rates of natural increase among the youthful populations of these cities.
• Concentration of industry makes cities a natural magnet for young people seeking employment.

Benefits of Urban Growth

• Economic Stimulation: Urbanization stimulates the economy, including farming in surrounding areas, leading to increased agricultural production.
• Improved Services: Residents gain access to better services such as water supply, electricity, healthcare, and education.
• Informal Sector Opportunities: For those unable to find formal employment, the informal sector offers income opportunities through activities like street vending, selling fruit, or shoe cleaning. While these activities benefit individuals, they often operate outside government regulation and tax collection.

Challenges of Urbanization

• Housing Shortages: Urbanization often leads to social and economic problems related to housing provision, resulting in vast illegal shantytowns or informal settlements.
• Informal Sector Employment: A large informal sector means many workers operate without formal contracts or benefits, and the government does not collect taxes, which can hinder national development.
• Growing Inequality: The gap between the rich and poor often widens, potentially leading to social unrest, strikes, and protests.
• Other Urban Problems: Increased urbanization contributes to issues such as pollution and traffic congestion.

Global Urbanization Trends

While the world's population doubled between 1950 and 1990, the urban population trebled (x3). This rapid growth primarily occurred in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).

Key Features of Global Urbanization

• Since 1950, the world's largest cities were predominantly in More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Today, developing countries, often situated in the tropics, host the largest cities and the greatest number of urban dwellers. While the total population is much higher in developing countries than in developed countries, the percentage of the population that is urbanized is generally lower in developing nations.
• The Rise of Megacities: In 1900, a city with over 1 million inhabitants, such as London or Paris, was considered a "millionaire city." Today, there are over 300 such cities. The 10 largest cities in the world now exceed 10 million inhabitants, earning them the designation of "megacities." Examples include Mexico City (around 20 million) and Tokyo (with an even larger population).