Lithosphere
Urbanization
City populations are growing faster than city infrastructure can adapt.
The world's cities are growing because people are moving to urban areas from rural areas in search of jobs, opportunities to improve their lives and create a better future for their children. Cities, large and small, are at the heart of a fast changing global economy.
Why should we care?
- Many urban areas are growing because their rural neighbourhoods are depressed, which forces impecunious rural people to move to the cities in search of work.
- These newcomers often end up not finding the chances they are looking for, so they become part of the urban poor. Upon entrance to the city, they often meet:
- Lack of housing: To make up for the lack of available homes, newcomers often set up shelters on city borders, usually on public owned land. This land inclines to be dangerous and inhabitable, such as flood plains, steep slopes, or broken land.
- Lack of infrastructure services: Slum residents often live without electricity, running water, a sewerage system, roads, and other urban facilities.
Impact on Environment
- Forests, wetlands and farming lands are demolished to make way for roads and other infrastructure.
- Smog and air pollution replace fresh air because more cars will be used and that will bring more air pollution.
- Many species of wildlife misplace their homes, as they have to strive with people and their equities for space which they used to live in.
What can we do to prevent Urbanization?
- Give more employment opportunities towns or villages. Open some factories or industries in rural areas.
- Build schools and colleges in rural areas so that rural children do not have to travel and come to cities for better education.
- Every day use able materials should be sold in cheap rate in rural areas.
- Daily wages in rural areas should be equal or as per city.
Megacities Reflect Growing Urbanization Trend
Effects of Urbanization