The Effects of Urbanization: A Reflective Essay

By Wilmar M. Buhay

Urbanization is an inevitable reality of the times. As asserted in the video, many

people have moved to cities in hopes of better, more prosperous ways of living. This
instance was classically proved by the birth and proliferation of the Industrial Revolution.
As also mentioned in the video, the dramatic evolution of technologies in the midst of
the histrionic increase of human population, the compressions for urbanization is
inescapable. It is also a predictable observation that around thirty (30) years from now,
we can anticipate that closely to 70% of the world’s population will be concentrated to
the cities.

It is becoming a common understanding that urbanization, characterized by the

rapid increased populations in cities and suburbs, is associated with the progression of
civilization. It is undeniable reality brought by this transition that many cases of radical
improvement in the quality of life of people while in the sense of progress in matters of
economy, politics, and cultural structures, but certainly not in all aspect of life. We may
imagine at this point the effect of urbanization to our natural environment and to the
attitude of people.

Indeed numbers of advantages that urbanization can offer to the people, local
economies and even to the whole world are visibly true. However, if urban planning and
program implementations are jumbled and not deliberately done, it will definitely provide
consequences unfavourable to the living conditions in cities and countries. With the
view of the foregoing thought, it may help us in way or another to put our attention to the
benefits and challenges of urbanization which might lead us to recognize those
essential matters to focus on while urbanization is happening.

In one side of the coin, urbanization may provide us a long enumeration of

benefits. On of these is in the field of trade and commerce. Here, urbanization advances
the country’s business sectors by providing more jobs and a more diverse economy. A
vast network of goods and services has helped develop modern commercial institutions
and exchanges that have empowered the growth of urban areas. Commercialization
and trade offers town and cities better business opportunities and returns compared to
rural areas. Rural citizens come to urban places with their goods and needs for products
and services only available in urban areas.

In matters of tourism industries, more people in cities means the need for better
transportation systems. Foreigners are attracted to cities with great transportation for
easy mobility as well as unique attractions partially supported by infrastructure. It
provides great foreign currency inflows for the cities’ economies.

Another benefit is on the field of culture and sciences. Improvements in culture

and sciences are projected to increase through increased urbanization. As diverse
cultures interact, work, and communicate with one another in close proximity, cultures
are integrated more smoothly. In addition, access to better educational facilities and
living standards (like better sanitation, healthcare, and housing) can create better
recreational lifestyles and better social life. These reasons encourage more people to
migrate into cities and town to obtain a variety of social services and benefits which are
widespread and limited in rural areas.

The other side of the coin may give us the unwarranted effects of urbanization. In
the issue of housing development, the rapid flow of rural populations into urban areas
mean there will be a rise in housing scarcity. Insufficient space for housing and public
buildings may give rise to housing problems, poverty, and unemployment. Costly
building materials may be unaffordable for some individuals, resulting in slums.

We may also think of the decrease in rural populations. The decrease in rural

populations means a shortage of workers who will be able to produce agriculture. As a
result, there may be an in-demand need to feed growing populations within cities. But
there will also be a dramatic escalation of solid waste production in cities and on farms
trying to grow enough food. For example, nitrogen discarded in farm and urban organic
wastes each year equals 137% of the nitrogen in all chemical fertilizers, which can
negatively affect climates.

The obvious consequence of decrease in rural population is overpopulation in

urban areas. Overcrowding occurs when a large number of people live in a small areas.
Congested areas increase daily as the inflow of immigrants and people move into the
cities. Pressure is put on sanitation and water facilities. In addition, environmental
pollution and health hazards may become more rampant.

Having said the above possible pros and cons of urbanization, what alarming for
me is the uncertainty of where does urbanization will lead us in the future; how much
and where urban populations will grow? Notwithstanding with the insecurity brought by
the possible benefits and disadvantages of urbanization, I believe it is the high time for
us to sit, think and strategies for the solutions effective to answer the problems people
may encounter in the cities and across the globe.

Quoting from the words of Li Keqiang, a Chinese-politician, “urbanization is not

about simply increasing the number of urban residents or expanding the area of cities.
More importantly, it's about a complete change from rural to urban style in terms of
industry structure, employment, living environment and social security.”

There are so much to look forward in many things urbanization may bring us,
provided that we are equipped for the possible undesirable effects thereof.