Urbanization

Montego Bay
 What is Urbanization ?

Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the decrease
in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies
adapt to this change. Urbanisation occurs mainly because people move from rural
areas to urban areas and it results in growth in the size of the urban population
and the extent of urban areas. These changes in population lead to other changes
in land use, economic activity and culture.

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 Factors Influencing Urbanization in Montego
Bay Jamaica
Employment: Rural areas commonly are agricultural. Urbanization and industrial growth create opportunities for jobs
that pay more, are more diverse, and may be less physically demanding.

Social Factors: Montego bay allow for better living standards, including superior educational facilities, better access to
healthcare, modern housing, and more recreational activities.

Modernization: New technology upgrades the infrastructure of urban areas. Better communication, medical facilities,
and various social amenities can attract those from rural areas. Such as internet and phone services are easily accessed.

Relief - rural areas population density is very low. The terrain in rural areas make building infrastructure difficult, as well
as road for transportation, hence agriculture is more popular.
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 Challenges Of Urbanization
● Intensive urban growth leads to greater poverty, leaving local governments unable to
provide services for all people.
● Concentrated energy use leads to greater air pollution with significant impact on human
health.
● Automobile exhaust produces elevated carbon monoxide levels in urban air.
● Large volumes of uncollected waste create multiple health hazards.
● Urban development can magnify the risk of environmental hazards such as flash flooding.
● Pollution and physical barriers to root growth promote loss of urban tree cover.
● Animal populations are inhibited by toxic substances, vehicles, and the loss of habitats and
food sources.

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 The Benefits of Urbanization
● Urbanisation has greatly affected the city of Montego Bay. With the process of urbanisation
taking place, we can see where a higher standard of living is trying to be achieved,
accompanied by the growth of revenue that may fund: infrastructure projects, and improving
and providing more health care systems.

How Urban Growth has Generated Income

● For example, in discussing the erection of new building they have been constantly constructed
in Montego Bay Jamaica due to the in-migration of people from rural or other urban areas in
the country. We can see that in the commercial shopping and business center of fair view was
developed. Additionally we can see where the construction of Vista Print increased job
opportunities which would satisfy the needs of the urban community.
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The Benefits of Urbanization

● Also, as the years went by, we can clearly see that the city of Montego Bay has rapidly
developed. In the same breath, we can see where the development of health care has also
increased.
● The public health clinics hospitals such as Montego Bay type 5, Cornwall regional hospital,
Hospiten and the Gwest hospital have been put in place to facilitate the number of people
residing in this city as. This help to build up a country as a whole as it is able to provide for
themselves and not have to depend on many other countries for medical assistance constantly.

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 The Benefits of Urbanization
The Higher Standard Of Living Associated With Urbanization

● Due to the influx of persons into Montego Bay a higher standard of living had to be upheld and
provided for its people. Therefore, to accommodate their needs, education systems and housing
have to be provided.
● In Montego Bay, there are many school that have been built. From basic schools to primary and
preparatory schools, high schools both public and private along with villages and universities.
● Additionally, many housing schemes have been developed from the last 20-30 years. The
bogue village scheme house community, the mango walk community, the Lagoons and 22
community as well as Irwin medos and so on. All these have been developed for each
individual to enjoy the commodities of what they can afford.

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 Measures To Control Urbanization
As seen, there are challenges associated with urbanization. In Montego Bay, to combat some of
these challenges the following activities were planned:

● An upgrade of a squatter settlement in Grange Pen in 2010.

● The Participating Slum Upgrading Programme Phase Two was implemented in Montego
Bay.
● The Dream 36 Housing Development was planned to be constructed at Ironshore, St. James
as an attempt to stop squatting which Dr. Horace Chang described as an illegal activity
which generates illegal activities, which eventually leads to killing because some of the
individuals find their own ways of making money. (According to the Jamaica Observer,
Friday, December 13, 2019)
● Different groups (eg. Kiwanis/Key Club) have organized and executed multiple beach
clean-ups. 8
 Measures To Control Urbanization

● Goal 4 in Vision 2030 Jamaica addresses the target of having a healthy environment, with
outcomes being sustainable management of natural resources, hazard risk reduction, climate
change adaptation, as well as sustainable urban and rural development. The plan recognizes
urban sprawl and dilapidated housing as problems rising from the lack of spatial planning.