The Effect of Urbanization in the Developing World - Assignment Example

Topic: Discuss the effect of urbanization in the developing world PAPER Introduction: This paper explains urbanizationand its effects in the developing world and this paper will clearly prove how urbanization contribute towards the betterment of human life, economy and overall development of the people and the country. Basically, it is an ongoing process in today’s competitive era and its profound effects on the individual’s life as made it a noticeable move. The market globalization, thirst for higher studies, education, latest technology, better job opportunities, high living standards, improved health, easy communication and easy access to basic requirements are the major forces behind the process of urbanization. Sice 2007, above 50%of the people has been shifted to the cities and are living a contented life. The rate is expected to hit 70% by the end of 2050. No one knows the real date of birth of this process but, studies have revealed that urbanization took birth in the era of industrial revolution when people migrated toward the manufactured and established hubs of the towns and cities with an aim to obtain jobs in industries and factories that results in the development and growth of cultures and nations worldwide. What is Urbanization? Urbanization is a process where a society or people changes from rural to urban living style. Moreover, it also refers to a steady increase in the percentage or proportion of the masses living in cities or urban areas. It is also defined as “a process in which large number of people move from the countryside to cities to enjoy a better life including health status and living conditions”. (Definitions.net, 2003) Positive effects of Urbanization: All in all urbanization has marked countless positive impacts on the cultural and natural environment, social networks, housing arrangements, employment patterns, working environment and economy. Moreover, these positive changes are not just observed in the towns and cities in fact, rural areas are made worth living places. Access to the social services, health care facilities and the cultural activities are much better in big cities, through urbanization these facilities are made available to the people of the rural areas and they are provided with equal rights to enjoy the basic necessities of life. In other words, urbanization is the flow of labor, capital, services and goods, in addition to it, ideology across the borders is also marked under the umbrella of urbanization. The changes in the living arrangements and social networks results in betterment of mental and physical health. (Tellnes, 2005, p. 552-553). Negative effects of urbanization: Nothing is perfect and same is true for urbanization, it also has some negative effects. Some of the major are articulated below Increased population results in increased garbage waste and byproducts. It also leads to inappropriate waste management and results in increased population and diseases. Demand for food increases and more and more land is needed for the food production Poor health In-availability of basic needs Lack of proper infrastructure Unemployment The positive effects of this process have overweigh the negative effects and by making proper arrangements both at individual and government level a nation can overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. (Tellnes, 2005, p. 552-553). Effects of Urbanization on various aspects of life: Studies have revealed that urbanization has positive as wells negative effects on human life. No one can deny the fact the urban life is fulfilling and rich as it is more energetic, stimulating, diverse and embraces infinite opportunities. Family and individual mobility have made it easy to shun from the oppressive and depressing situation of life. Large cities are an ideal source of energy, ideas, technology and above all creativity. Urbanization fosters congenial, enlightened and a multi-cultural living. Effects of urbanization on health: The most noticeable feature of this process is the variation in lifestyles. Apart from the changes in physical activities, food changes, work patterns, alcohol and smoking it also brings changes in leisure activities, sexual behavior and travelling patterns that affect the human health drastically. Better availability of transport, medicines, doctors, physicians and latest medical instruments help in combating mortality and diseases. Chronic diseases like heart attacks, brain hemorrhage, cancer, AIDS and diabetes were considered incurable in the rural areas but, urbanization and development in science and technology has completely changed the facade of medicine and health. Economic development: History has shown that none of the country in the industrial era has ever achieved the socioeconomic growth without urbanization. There is a close link between the urbanization and economic development. Studies have also revealed that the growth in urban population has drastically lowered the poverty rate. Moreover, it is also stated that the economic and demographic changes facilitated by the process of urbanization is a powerful mean that enables the less developed nations and countries to mark themselves in the race to developed nations. Ghana and India make a perfect example in this case. Ghana is now considered as an urban society and has achieved a historical milestone in 2010 and about 51% of the country’s population are living in cities and towns for the very first time in history. (ISSER, 2012) Higher education: Urbanization has provoked the opening of colleges, universities and other learning institutes in many places apart from the major cities. It not only open doors of success and opportunities for the students but, for the teachers a well. This results in the top-notch quality secondary and higher education for the students of rural areas. Urbanization helps the students to obtain better education than the predecessors. Urbanization in China is a good example. Job opportunities: Urbanization is a serious and confusing issue for developing countries and nations. No doubt, overpopulation in cities has increased the unemployment rate but, at the same time it has opened innumerable job opportunities for both uneducated and educated people across the globe. Large number of factories and industries in developing cities have offered job opportunities to the uneducated people. Similarly, the increasing competition in the business world has made ways for skilled and competitive degree holders. Transportation: It is one of the basic need of the so called social animal. Urbanization has made the personal and business transportation much easier today. Large availability of cars, cabs, trucks and other vehicles have made mobility to other places easy and hassle free. A merchant can make his goods and services available to his potential customers even across borders. Architectural development: No one can overlook the improvement in architectural development due to urbanization. People from different cultures and different backgrounds has introduced their own ideas in the designing and construction and this diversity results in mind-blowing sky-scrapping buildings and luxurious houses. Summary: From the above discussion it is concluded that Urbanization is a positive change and it has contributed a leading role in the development and betterment of human being and nations. The benefits are beyond imagination and it ranges from an increase in per capita income to GDP, better housing facilities to better living style, higher education to outstanding job opportunities, easy transportation to better health facilities and much more. No doubt, it has some negative effects as well but, to overcome the drawbacks politicians, government authorities and individuals themselves have to think out of the box to create a better living place for themselves. (Lifestyle, 2010). People move to cities and developed towns in hunt of economic and health opportunities. In rural areas farming is the only source of income and it is not enough to improve living standards of the masses. Farm life largely depends on volatile environmental conditions. Moreover, in the times of flood, drought and pestilence existence becomes an intrinsic task. On the other hand, cities are known for wealth, services and money. Cities are the places where social and economic mobility and facilities are possible. Businesses and offices are mainly located in the urban areas and are the generators of capital and money. These are the reasons people living in rural areas always urge to move to the cities to open the horizons of success and opportunities. It not only helps in establishing a perfect lifestyle but, also helps in strengthening their families. The rapid development and growth of cities such as the Chicago and Shanghai in late 1900s are the results of urbanization. This sort of development and growth is a common trend in the developing countries. It is pertinent to mention here that the increasing growth of population in the cities is partially because of rural-urban movement and partially because of an influx of the immigrants from the other cities or countries. Suggestions: Urbanization is the movement with cultural shifts and embrace many challenges for the entire nation. Higher authorities and the concern department have to make efforts to ensure the availability of resources to their people. Moreover, everyone from small to large level has to view the challenges from the larger perspective. These challenges have to be viewed and analyzed at cultural, educational and environment level. Identifying the reason behind urbanization is highly imperative as well because urbanization can occur either because of pull factors like the better health or employment opportunities or because of the push factors like lack of the basic services or the increasing rate of crimes in the rural and undeveloped areas. References: Definitions.net. 2003. Definitions for urbanization. [Online] Available at: http://www.definitions.net/definition/urbanization. [Accessed 12 March 13]. Tellnes, Gunnar, 2005. Positive and negative public health effects of urbanization. European Journal of Public Health, (15) 5, Pp552-553. Institute of Statistical, social and economic research. 2012. Urbanization and National Development. [Online] Available at: http://isser.ug.edu.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=147%3Aurbanization and-national-development&catid=36&Itemid=197. [Accessed 12 March 13]. Lifestyle.iloveindia.com. 2010. Urbanization Effects.[Online] Available http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/urbanization-effects-12295.html. [Accessed 12 March 13]. Read More