Urbanisation

Urban settlements, in contrast to rural settlements, are typically more dense, crowded, and larger in size with compact housing. People here are primarily involved in non-agricultural activities, such as industries, services, and administrative jobs. Cities and towns are linked to villages, either directly or indirectly, and exchange goods, services, and commuters. It is primarily by this process that towns and cities originate and grow larger as more people live and work in central locations. It has been found that the urbanisation level in developed countries is at a much higher rate than in India. In 2001, the level of urbanisation in India was at 28%.

What is the definition of urbanisation?

The definition of urbanisation is the phenomenon in which people migrate from rural places to cities in search of jobs or education, better living conditions, well-developed facilities, and infrastructure, and they get established there. It eventually leads to the expansion of existing towns and creates better opportunities in employment and living standards.

What are the causes of urbanisation?

The following can be termed as the causes of urbanisation:

• The Industrial Revolution

Industrialisation can be termed as a point when the agricultural economy transforms into a new and non-agriculture-dependent economy, resulting in a modernised society. Because of better job prospects, more individuals have been drawn to move from rural to urban areas since the industrial revolution.

Industrialisation has boosted job prospects by allowing people to work in modern job categories that contribute to economic growth.

• Entrepreneurship

Commerce and trade play an essential part in the urbanisation process. The contemporary era’s distribution of goods and services and commercial transactions has resulted in modern marketing organisations and exchange systems, which have accelerated the construction of towns and cities.

Commercialisation and commerce are associated with the belief that towns and cities provide better business prospects and returns than rural places.

• Social services and benefits

There are numerous social benefits to living in a small town or city. There are many examples of improved social life, such as well-developed sanitation and housing, better health care facilities, improved recreation facilities, and enhanced social life.

As a result, an increasing number of individuals are being compelled to migrate to cities and towns to access a wide range of social benefits and services that are not available in rural areas.

Factors of urbanisation

• Employment prospects

There are many career prospects in urban areas that attract people from rural areas who are searching for a more robust life. As a result, the majority of the people usually relocate to metropolitan regions in search of well-paying work in a variety of development sectors, including public health, education, transportation, sports and recreation, industries, and business operations.

Services and industries produce and expand higher value-added jobs, resulting in more job opportunities.

• Modernisation and changes in living styles

 In the process of urbanisation, modernisation is extremely significant. People feel that as cities are more technologically advanced, with highly polished communication, infrastructure, medical facilities, dressing codes, enlightenment, liberalism, and alternative social amenities on the market, they will have a happier existence in cities. People in urban areas also accept changes in their lifestyles, such as residential habits, attitudes, clothing, food, and beliefs. As a result, people migrate to cities, and cities flourish due to the daily influx of people.

Impacts due to urbanisation

Urbanisation’s beneficial effects

 If urbanisation happens with proper planning and foundations, its beneficial effects include:

• A rise in employment.
• Advancement in technology and infrastructure.
• Better educational and medical opportunities.
• Enhanced living standards.

However, extensive urbanisation has its drawbacks as well.

• Housing issues

Due to urbanisation, people are drawn to cities and towns, resulting in rapid population growth. There is a continuing housing insufficiency because the number of individuals living in metropolitan areas grows. This is attributable to the scarcity of increasing areas for housing and public amenities and impoverishment, state, and overpriced building materials that only some individuals can afford.

• An overabundance of individuals

Overcrowding happens when many people share a small space. Overcrowding or urban congestion could be a constant feature that’s growing day by day as additional individuals and immigrants migrate to cities to pursue a much better living. Most people from rural or underdeveloped areas migrate to the city, and as they have little means, this results in many people living together in a small space.

• Joblessness

Joblessness is most prevalent in urban regions, and it’s even more prevalent among educated individuals. Metropolitan areas are considered to house more than half of the world’s unemployed population.

And although wages in urban areas are high, the cost of living is also dreadfully steep, making the wages seem to be dreadfully low. The first reason for the urbanisation of states is the rising migration of individuals from rural or developing areas to urban areas.

Effects of urbanisation on the environment

• Problems with water and sanitation

In most urban areas, inadequate sewerage infrastructure is frequent because of overspill and rapid population growth. Municipalities and native governments face significant resource perplexities in managing waste material systems. Resultantly, the waste from sewers flows without any proper discretion and ends up in seas, lakes, and eventually oceans. Water scarcity is exacerbated by overcrowding of people when supply falls short of demand.

• Illness and disease transmission

Social, economic, and living situations influence access to and utilisation of public health care services in congested urban regions. Slum areas, in particular, suffer from poor sanitation and a lack of water supply, making slum people more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea.

Conclusion

Urban settlements, in contrast to rural settlements, are typically more dense and widespread with compact housing, well-developed infrastructure, and health care facilities. The establishment of towns, the migration of people from rural to urban areas, and the expansion of cities are all examples of urbanisation.