So, though urban population growth is happening, the infrastructure growth is not commensurate. The high cost of procuring resources and the pressure of need to conserve them has made them scarce. The capital needed to create or enhance the existing facilities for population is found short by even the most developed nations. In democracies, the governments are under pressure to deploy tax payers money wisely so as to avoid electoral losses. In dictatorships, the population has no say, and hence continues to live on the fringes of poverty uncomplainingly. 

Furthermore. it’s imperative to find a relationship between industrialization and urbanization. Mass production creates large industries. Large industries need larger pool of human resources. This large number of manpower needs an eco-system of housing, schools, and such amenities. Industrial townships are an example of this type of urbanization. In its first stage the township is a planned set up. After some years, it also slides into cycle of unplanned growth. Clearly, large numbers are not sustainable. In absence of long-term plans, and even long-lasting governments, either there is no vision, or it goes haywire. The question then is should urbanization be discouraged. It doesn’t seem to be a prudent solution. If urbanization translates into growth for populations, for regions, and for prosperity of this planet, it should not only be encouraged, but also be committed to by states. A comprehensively laid-out city plan binding for all stakeholders should be put in place. The tide can also be turned using reverse migration. Instead of carving policies that lead to over-urbanization of existing cities, encouraging development at the fringes of the cities can be taken up. This would continue the contributions from populations, and at the same time would take pressure off infrastructure grid. Creating employment opportunities in rural areas through micro-enterprises and small enterprises is a prudent policy.

Rise of service sector has also contributed to urbanization. If manufacturing industry creates hubs, service sector feeds it. Its noteworthy that urban centres end up becoming service centres  for vast swathe of populations in the region. This leads to high number of floating populations in the city. Though city planners account for it and make provisions to accommodate them, impermanence of stay leads to less effort to choose sustainable ways of living. This brings us to the need to find ways to balance the urbanization with conservation of resources.