Hazards associated with urbanization:

1. Migration of population - Urbanization is now mainly a trend in Africa and Asia, where only about 40 percent of the population is urban today. Driven by continued high population growth and economic growth in parts of the regions, the urban population is expected to double between 2000 and 2030, reaching 54 and 55 percent respectively.

2. Pressure on infrastructure - There is an immense pressure on land, water and infrastructure like public transport, places, health care, law and order etc. The growth of infrastructure will be unable to cope with the rapid urbanization.

1.      Housing Problems - Urbanization leads to an increased demand for land bank which pushes the property prices. It’s no wonder that a large percentage of city-dwellers are poor, with an estimated 1 billion living in slums. Unable to find affordable houses leads to encroachment of pavements and creation of slums.

2.      Water - Increase in the urban population increases the demand and consumption of water. It becomes a challenge to supply drinking water for humans living especially in the slum areas. In 1985 there were 100 million more people without water service than in 1975. Limited access to drinking water poses serious health hazards and easy spread of water borne diseases across the masses.

3.      Public Transport & Traffic - Cities and towns have depended heavily on ground transport for the movement of people and goods. Thus, the increase in urbanization throughout the world has been accompanied by a sharp growth in urban traffic and the public transport system of the urban cities is choked. However, such a situation has generated a large number of accidents. Some 500,000 people are killed in traffic accidents each year, two-thirds of which occur in urban or peri-urban areas. In addition, according to many studies in different countries, for every death there are ten to twenty persons injured.

3. Urbanity and health - Though urbanization allows more accessibility to health services, it also creates health hazards. In such urban areas the air, land and water are often contaminated, spreading disease. Health hazards resulting from urbanization are mainly connected to air pollution, as well as crime, traffic and lifestyle. The burning of fossil fuels from transportation, industry and energy production is the main culprit regarding outdoor urban air pollution. Another health hazard common the cities is connected to lifestyle and consumption patterns, including dietary changes and obesity.

4. Sanitation and Drainage - Globally some 2.4 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation. Everyday as many as 30,000 people die from preventable water- and hygiene-related diseases and the children are most prone to the water bourne disease. The recent floods and heavy torrential rain shows how inadequate is the present urban drainage. Wastewater collection, ventilated and improved human pit latrines, shallow piped sewerage systems, waste water treatment and re-use of waste water for agriculture and aquaculture are some of the steps towards good sanitation.

5. Increases in prices - Due to rising income levels, the disposable income also increases which drives the consumption and the consumption patterns. The increased consumption trend pushes the price of essential items and services.

6. Pollution - The hazard generated by the expansion of urban traffic is air and noise pollution. Health problems include acute and chronic respiratory diseases, malignancies and hearing deficiencies.

7. Waste management - 30 to 50% of solid waste generated within urban centres are left uncollected. More than two billion people still have no sanitary means to dispose of human waste (Hardoy, Cairncross and Satterthwaite 1990; WHO Commission on Health and Environment 1992b). Due to environmental considerations recycling and reuse of wastes are of utmost importance in the urban area. Large amount of toxic waste are also produced in the urban areas.

8. Spread of Disease - Urban areas have usually high density of population, a fact which facilitates the spread of communicable diseases like urban malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

9. Psychological - Urbanization has often had psychosocial consequences such as stress, alienation, instability and insecurity; which, in their turn, have led to problems such as depression and alcohol and drug abuse. Marital instability and thus high number of divorce cases in the urban areas are common symptoms of the psychological disturbance of the urban mass.

10. Urbanity and food - In most societies, agriculture is the backbone of the economic foundations for development, whereas urbanization lays the foundation for the next step in economic development, industrialization. Industrial activities are mostly located in urban areas, or the establishment of industrial enterprises spurs development of urban centers. Where land and water are scarce, urban areas compete with agriculture. Farmers can suddenly find themselves outbid for land by industrial firms, jeopardizing the production of food. Food security is a major challenge closely connected to urbanization. The impact of urbanization on agriculture is also connected to the consumption patterns of city populations. Rising incomes lead to higher consumption and increased pressure on natural resources, especially in developed countries. Urban consumption may be a more imminent problem than the actual urban concentrations, causing a substantial urban footprint.

New opportunities, and challenges

1.      Urbanization creates opportunities and challenges, not least regarding sustainability.

2.      Concentrations of people make it easier to offer basic infrastructure and public services such as education and health services.

3.      Urbanization and growth go together, and no country has ever reached middle-income status without a significant population shift from rural to urban areas.

4.      Urban environments, with close human interaction, also tend to spur innovation and economic development.

5.      Urbanization affects economic relations and social structure throughout the world. It contributes to the globalization trend, with increased cross-border trade and cross-cultural ties bringing the world closer together.

Increased urbanization will also drive the development of mega-cities with 10 million inhabitants or more. It is estimated that by 2025 there will be 27 mega-cities, 20 of these in the developing world.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (27)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Pavalamani Pragasam, January 13, 2010

An excellent and exhaustive analysis!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Review
written by Opeyemi Odewale, March 12, 2011

You made a number of interesting case. I am working on a paper dealing with urbanization and water-borne disease. Would you mind forwarding me some of your sources/reference.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Burberry Hobos
written by Burberry Hobos, June 21, 2011

than k you for share

• 
• +0
• 
• 

coast clothing dresses
written by coast dresses, August 17, 2011

Coast dresses of 2011 summer full of vitality and color. This is your wardrobe an instant update of all those signals through the main trends for the coming occassion dresses 2011. Cheap coast clothing on sale, In order to buy coast dress you must keep yourself aware of the sale events happening in you town or local market. women dresses which are in fashion may not be in trend in coming season. So the shops, small manufacturer and even designer offer Coast dress Bridal at the end of a season. You can buy it easily.Finding a Coast dress Black Tie Event at discount rate or cheap rate does not mean that the Coast dress Races are of poor quality or it is a defective piece. http://www.coast-dress.com/

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by polo jacket, August 27, 2011

Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is,true religion jeansthe second ischeap new era hats,
I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

wholesale NFL Jerseys
written by www.shopvipzone.com, August 30, 2011

http://www.shopvipzone.com

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Burberry Outlet, September 19, 2011

The perfect!These articles written too great,they rich contents and data accurately.they are help to me.I expect to see your new share!
Burberry Outlet
Burberry Bowling Bags

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Louis Vuitton
written by Louis Vuitton, October 22, 2011

Louis Vuitton is a name never to underestimate. Its creations are among the wholesale designer Louis Vuitton to shop for. Among the designs that you may love are the Louis Vuitton Outlet Stresa PM bag in Damier canvas, LV Alma Tote in epi leather, LV Elegie Purse, and LV Tote.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

baseball hats
written by tisa hats, October 27, 2011

Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is, monster energy hats the second is Snapback hats ,I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by replica handbags, October 31, 2011

I would name your blog the dreamland! While Santa knocks at our door just once per year, you blog is open the whole year – wow! designer handbags

This post has been somewhat of a revelation to me.cheap handbags

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Coach Outlet Online
written by Coach Outlet Online, November 24, 2011

As a fashionista,Coach Outlet Online you should deeply
know how important Coach Factory Outletto collect a set of outfits in summer.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

nice!!
written by breitling limited edition replica, November 25, 2011

I think it might provide you with some of the convenience. breitling limited edition replica

• 
• +0
• 
• 

replica handbags
written by cheap prada top handle, November 26, 2011

Thank you much to talk about, Our spouse and a lot of us favor your individual write-up. Move your present mouse, click on below, you may uncover replica goyard bags in addition to cheap replica prada.Day to day high and affordability worth mentioning designer reproduction handbags is a nearly tempting combination.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by tisa hats, November 30, 2011

I firmly believe you need the Nice blog.Adjustable Hat The content of your blog is exactly wonderful, and your blog template is Simple generous.Winter hats So good.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Canada Goose Coats, December 02, 2011

I came accross your blog recently and have been reading I like Canada Goose Coats and Canada Goose UKand along. Thank you for your sharing!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

wholesale cheap hats
written by hats scarves, December 19, 2011

Others, or have cheap hats or designs with design motifs that are unique to their own tisa hats. It is necessary to realize one fact when you are looking at the different winter hats that are available. Each of these hats have a distinctive style of being .

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.supreme-hat.com/
written by supreme hats, December 20, 2011

Thank you for your sharing，When talking about the bowler cheap hats, the brand name hats gloves is always come into mind.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

celebrity sunglasses
written by new eyeglasses, December 22, 2011

It's a arrangementof commutual pages that articulation to anniversary knitted scarves the user from the capital armpit arise the snapback capssites.assertive appearance of this address led to its apprehensionby the web spiders.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

fake watches
written by fake tag heuer formula, December 22, 2011

Thank you for sharing contents of the article very well.Understand what wish to pay a big sum to order a true watch, you may need to consider some sort of replica watch if you prefer them. Click it to move your mouse, you will see fake watches and replica patek philippe watch.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Coach Factory Outlet
written by Coach Factory Outlet, December 30, 2011

sexual harassmenta Coach Handbags probe later Chanel Pursesdismissed.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.choose-your-hats.com
written by wholesale nba hats, January 13, 2012

If you are looking for wholesale jerseys sale store online, you must not lost our cheap hats. We are the professinal provider that supply large discount price and top quality hats with best services.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.wholesalereplicadeals.com
written by wholesale hats, January 17, 2012

Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is, Burberry scarf the second is wholesale scarves ,I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

House of Anubis DVD
written by House of Anubis DVD, January 18, 2012

This article is so beneficial effect,House of Anubis DVD
to write such an article is good,and also I want to share something good House of Anubis season 1 dvd
with you.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.wholesalereplicadeals.com
written by wholesale hats, January 19, 2012

Many of my friends do not know how to get the road to make money before they can make their own, and here I give you two possible ways to make money, the first one is, Burberry scarf the second is wholesale scarves ,I believe that you two ways to do so if the real will make money, while very grateful to the author of this article.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

new era winter hats
written by cheap new era hats, January 28, 2012

Perk up established common will become cooled using a a terrific way to through manufacturers like Outside Look. Without a as few as money 20 well you can acquire an important propensity Lawn Learn head wear. You'll find nothing as you all on your own common lower price fledgling age cheap winter hats wholesale Top and also a coating due to the fact change for the working weather conditions. If you decide on, think of making use of the idea head wear Exterior To endure Bombshell Container all on your own however the Top blood vessels holding denim jeans , nor tisa hatsMore than a wind resistant, more sleek sort of the typical box cover, the idea jacket will take slightly femininity, elegant and elegant hear sadly mindful, is to find be careful about your hair styling right away.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

http://www.snow-boots-uk-sale.org/
written by jumbo ugg, January 29, 2012

ZY-The barbour jacket tough to choose in between UGG boots and Just ugg snow boots.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

dvds
written by eastwick dvd release date, January 30, 2012

Finally one day, criminal minds seasons 1-6 dvd had a view of the sea from a long distance.Oh, dexter dvd set would finally arrive at the end of his journey." The sea held his breath, made him bow. How vast, how great, how bright and how dark the sea is! She reached out her hands to formally accept him, and he flowed into her arms. then he was melted and naturalized, couldn't say happy and was also without grief!

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment Preview