Urbanization: A Brief Reflection

One of the more interesting trends of the 21st century is the rapid urbanization taking place in all parts of the globe. We have all probably heard that more than 50% of earth's population live in cities as of now, and that percentage is expected to grow more rapidly now than it has over the past few centuries. Urbanization is caused by several factors, but is most significantly because of more opportunities in the urban areas, which are home to more than half of all economic value in any given nation. In addition to these factors, birth rates are higher than death rates in urban areas, mostly a result of better health care methods.

Some harsh details about urbanization include the fact that the slums of major third world cities are expanding as much as 11 times more than more suitable living spaces. Nairobi, for instance, has 300 arrivals from the countryside, and that figure is three years old now. In the slums, disease is certainly more rampant, and conditions may sometimes making eve having the bare necessities in life impossible. More "luxurious" amenities such as education, safety, employment, and social services are lacking in these slum areas. Unfortunately, as the urban poor increase in numbers, developmental relief agencies have not been following as quickly, remaining behind to help rural communities.

As mentioned before, birth rates are higher than death rates due to better health care methods. However, health conditions in the slums are horrendous and only getting worse. Lack of sanitation and access to fresh water only promotes these terrible conditions. In one city, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1,300 people share only 6 communal toilets. Other disadvantages, such as increased exposure to natural disasters and an increase in crime, only further the negative impact of urbanization.

I feel like urbanization is good because it represents a mass migration of people to the city to find more opportunity and will lead to greater stimulation of the economy as population increases, as well as more opportunities for formerly rural families that may have never experienced opportunities available to them in an urban context had they remained in rural living conditions. It is of deep concern, however, that many people, at least in third world countries, may face conditions like the ones listed above while pursuing these aspirations. I believe that adequate effort should be made to ensure proper living conditions and especially for a sustainable future for people.

The Urban Century Institute, an American effort that has implemented programs to develop green neighborhoods and SMART parks in cities like Chattanooga, has caught my attention because it is an effort being made that tries to make urbanization a purely positive fact of life and one that can be used for the advantage of urban centers. More efforts like these need to be made, especially in urban centers where slums exist.

Efforts like the one mentioned above only highlight the fact that urbanization is an important factor and trend in our world today. It should be embraced and supported in ways that will create a sustainable future for humanity. The provision of jobs, education, proper living conditions, and the provision of the necessities of life will be necessary for making urbanization a helpful trend, rather than a seriously harmful side effect of the population explosion.