To What Extent Can the Problems of Urbanisation Be Met by a Policy of Sustainable Development - Coursework Example

15135243 Topic: Urbanisation To what extent can the problems of urbanisation be met by a policy of sustainable development? Currently, majority of the population around the world lives in urban areas. The influx of people in the cities and the concentration of rapid infrastructural developments invite migration of people from rural to urban centers to derive income from employment, is called urbanization (Elliot,1999, p.145-150; Adam, 1999, p. 125). Impelled by opportunities of industrialization, rural dwellers opted to convert agricultural life into labor capital to take part in modern economic system (Thisdell, 1993, pp. 24-29). Globally, the rate of population in urban areas dramatically increased to around 50% in 2000 due to the urbanization phenomenon which is aggravated by escalating birth rates and increased life expectancy (Elliot, 1999, p. 144). Economists argued that urbanization depicts rise of numerous infrastructures; improvement of transportation and communication; rigorous resource utilization and input of agro-industrialization through direct investments for growth (Elliot, 1999, p.145). This generated massive critique from sociologists and ecologists as migration pattern exponentially caused conflicts on land use with the apparent rise of ghettos against industries; of massive production with consequential rise and quandary on waste management (Elliot, 1999, p. 147). Added to these are problems on traffic congestion that pollutes the air and ecosystem specifically in centers where most socio-economic activities are undertaken (Thisdell, 1993, pp. 24-29). Thus, the need to solve these through frameworks of sustainable development defined as enhancement and development of human life without damaging the environmental resources for the future of humanity (Adams, 1999, p. 137). This essay will explain two of the major urban problems, which are traffic congestion and environmental-related issues. Moreover, it will propose some sustainable solutions, such as optimization of public transport; developing improved route system to resolve traffic congestion; adoption of renewable energy; and, reforestation as to mitigate pollution. It will also examine sustainability of these solutions, which may partially resolve these problems. The first problem brought by urbanization is traffic congestion. This is evident in United States, Mexico, Bangladesh, and in less advanced European and Asian state (Newman, 1999). Economic movement of peoples in dispersed trips has become an anathema to public transportation causing low average of densities (Newman, 1999, p. 152). For example, In Tokyo the traffic less serious about 45 per cent of total trips by bikes or walking unlike in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok the traffic so bad consequence the dependence on private cars due to difficulty of walking or cycling (Newman, 1999, pp. 67-92). Moreover, Newman (1999, pp. 67-92) observed how people become overly dependent on own automobiles and of extravagant utilization of petroleum, hence causing air pollution. For instance, Los Angeles County with an estimated population of 21-23 million in 2010 got an increased figure of 60 million travel trips every day. Added to this fact is the impact of congestion to the productivity of workforces who becomes tardy as they are often caught in the traffic jam (Thisdell, 1993, p. 124). The amount work time is substantially deduced as some arrived late at workplaces due to traffic problem. Therefore, traffic jams are a global issue affecting many countries which causes many negative impacts such as profligate energy use and global pollution (Newman, 1999, p. 152). On other hand, there are many sustainable development policies, if implemented on a large scale, would have a considerable impact to solve this problem. One possible solution to this problem is to promote the use of public transportation, particularly underground rail systems as best alternative (Thisdell, 1993, p. 123). Los Angeles as an example has built a metro system that consists of underground and shuttle buses. This model could be replicated in other countries although this is only feasible in regions far from quake fault lines (Thisdell, 1993, pp. 123-125). Newman (1999, p 152) argued that there is evidence that public transport effectively competes with private cars. This is modeled in European and prosperous Asian cities where public transport is publicly relied as more efficient than private cars. That means these cities have achieved a considerable increase in the usage of these systems. In addition, public transport has a positive effect on economic cost through lower ‘consumption of fossil fuels’ while also effectively reducing ‘total emissions of greenhouse gases’ to the environment (Newman, 1999, p. 156). Moreover, the invention on engine combustion regulators that could minimize the emission of carbon monoxide from vehicles and factories should be encouraged. Although widely adopted to reduce carbon emission but there are no studies yet showing exact percentile of automobiles, industries, and companies using combustion regulators around the world (EPA, 2004, p. 22). Some states adapted this but such shouldn’t be commercialized to make it more inaccessible for public utilities’ operators (Elliot, 1999, pp. 143-150; Lowe, 2007, pp. 22-24). Economists proposed that perhaps, if automobile owners are levied with road toll fees and taxes, it’s likely that automobile ownership and reliance for transit might be reduced (Elliot, 1999, p. 147; Lowe, 2007, pp. 22-24). For instance, in Southern California, they required expensive toll during peak hours to encourage car-dependents to use public transport (Thisdell, 1993, p. 124-125). Route-system will also help ease the congestion in highways. Thus, these solutions may contribute partially to reduce traffic congestion, but all these alternatives still not enough. However, obvious solutions are not long term solution. This connotes that the solutions cannot have similar effective impacts in all urban areas. While public transportation solution is laudable but the expensive value to modernize roads and railways is not feasible in underdeveloped urban countries. According to Thisdell (1993, p. 124) the Metro project in Lose Angeles cost $ 200 million per kilometer to make it as more effective routes within countries. On other hand, it’s perceived that the most effective solution depends on the adoption of a culture that is less reliant on automobiles (Newman, 1999, p.154). This is extolled from studies, which include seven Asian cities, which showed that highest income countries have successful attempt to reduce dependence on automobile use such as Singapore and Zurich while in Los Angeles the growth continued rapidly (Newman, 1999). Therefore, the systematic procedures associated with the culture of automobile use have the most efficient impact to solve these problems. Another problem brought by urbanization is the mounting environmental problems. Anent to urban overpopulation is the escalating problem of garbage and the incessant emission of industrial wastes. Ecologists nowadays deal industrial cases throwing toxic wastes to the shores thereby affecting seas biodiversity. Air pollution, caused by disproportionate emission of carbon monoxide on air, undoubtedly contributed to climatic changes and acid rain (Lowe, L. 2007, p. 24). For instance, in Europe, following post-industrial revolution, the manufacturers became dependent on cheap coal causing terrible carbon emission that increased amount of green house gases in atmosphere. Moreover, water pollution is exacerbated by bad sewage system, often an oversight on land use planning. As a result, many cities pour the sewage into rivers, such as those upland cities surrounded by Rio de Janeiro that have sewage which contaminated water sources ((Bilham-Boult, Blades, Hancock, Keeling, and Ridout, 1999, p. 129; Elliot, 1999). This problem is exacerbated by poverty, inadequacy of government’s social services, and lack of effective waste collection and management (Elliot, 1999). These are myriad of challenges accompanying economic growth but must be managed well to conserve limited resources to ensure that succeeding generation could still benefit from nature (Elliot, 1999, pp. 143-150). Thus, with continuing increase of population in urban areas, ecological degradation is likely to worsen. Currently, many states began to take strict measures to curb the growing of pollution problem. It is therefore not surprising that ecologists call for urban communities to engage in massive reforestation, using clean energy, coastal resource management, wastes management and the need to impose penalties to those who would violate environmental code to face pollution risk. The reforestation drive will also increase the absorption of carbon monoxide to prevent smog escalation. The consumption of energy must likewise be keenly conserved through alternative use of energy (Lowe, 2007, p.22). and by discouraging further extraction of fossil fuels. Thus, governments must advocate the use of solar, wind and sea waves as alternate sources of energy (Lowe, 2007, p.22); and adopt Mexican strategies to reduce pollution by regulating bus and car exhaust fumes, preventing use of leaded petroleum, improving public transport, recycling industrial waste, and requiring the use eco-friendly technology in factories (Bilham-Boult et al., 1999). Although, most of these solutions that are explained in advance, still impossible the application by most governments, because it need to high cost. For instance, the Mexico strategies seem to mitigate or control emission of toxic gases on air, and monitor the human activities which destroy ecology. However, the government pays eight billion pounds to achieve this strategy (Bilham-Boult et al., 1999, pp. 1-4). Indeed, clean energy is still so expensive and needs long time to attain at all albeit others thought that is only slowing down of gases (Lowe, 2007, pp. 22-24). In conclusion, it can be inferred that while urbanization led to global advancement and provides opportunities for employment, but these phenomenon espouse confrontational environmental problems on water, land and air pollution and traffic congestion. This researcher affirms the need to balance development with ecological protection, otherwise, people will continue to have shortened lifespan as pollution and wanton environmental degradation destroys the ecosystem. It’s high time for governments to regulate the utilization of automobiles by adopting optimized use of public transportation thru buses and railways. Government must likewise support the invention of technology that will mitigate the emission of air pollutants. While some proposed sustainable solutions with greater impacts can’t be applied in some developing countries due to high cost for reform, but these should not hinder people to adopt necessary measures for ecological and health protection. Industries and companies must be compelled to re-strategize operations to acculturate the values of environmentalism because there is no other planet that people could inhabit. People do not live by food alone but of fresh air and clean environment too. References Adam, W.M. Sustainability. In P. Cioke, P. Crang & Goodwin, M. (Eds), Introducing Human Geographics. London, Uk: Arnold. 199, pp. 125-130. Bilham-Boult, A., Blades, H., Hancock, J., Keeling W., & Ridout, M. People, places and themes. Oxford, UK: Heinemann. 1999, pp. 1-4. Elliot, J . A . An introduction to sustainable development. London: Routledge, 1999, pp. 143- 150. EPA, REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR THE STATIONARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE NESHAP: FINAL REPORT. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, N.C., us. 1994, PP. 2-22- 8-51. Lowe , I., Survive and thrive. Sustainable Nation: Managing Australia’s Future. Astarman, NSW: Design Masters Press, 2007, pp. 22-24. Newman , P . Transport: reducing automobile dependence . I n D . S a t t e r t h w a i t e ( E d.), The Earthscan reader in sustainable clfres. London: Earthscan Publications, 1999, pp. 67-92. Thisdell, D., Can L.A. kick the car habit? New Scientist, 1993, 138(1877), pp, 24-29. Read More