INTRODUCTION

Urban is a term derived from the Latin words “urbs” or “urbis” which means town or city. An urban area is said to be an area that exhibits a town like or city like characteristics. These characteristics are however defined on the basis of the following:

a) Cultural definitionIt defines a city or town as a “state of mind”, a body of customs and traditions. It is a place where relationships are more formal rather than more intimate (primary or community relationship) and where social organisation is organic rather than mechanical. In brief, the cultural definition of a city is a large, culturally heterogeneous and socially diverse society or area. 

b) Administrative / Political definitionIt is the definition of urban areas by their administrative functions conferred on the area by the national government. The problem with this definition is the difficulty involved in establishing internationally accepted criteria for definition urban areas. This is as a result of the subjectivity that comes with the rationale for which the government defines the area. Until the 1990’s an area in South Africa that had a white population of 500 was urban. In Thailand and Kenya, some areas although had population of less than 2000 they were urban areas by political definition. 

c) Economic definitionBy this definition an area which has more than 50% of its population employed by non agricultural activities is referred to as an urban area. This definition is rooted in the assumption that towns or cities are mainly involved in either processing or service whereas the countryside is predominately involved in the production of raw materials. The weakness of this definition is that it is silent on the pattern of spatial distribution and the extent of urbanisation. 

d) Demographic definition: Demographically an area is urban when a certain number of people live in the area or when it has a certain population density or both. From the above defining an urban area demographically uses criteria such as the  PopulationPopulation densityBoth the population and the population density. Although this approach to defining an urban is easy to use within a country, it is very difficult to use it among countries. In Ghana, the Electoral Commission has recommended that a district has a minimum population of 75000, a municipality has a minimum population of 95000 and a metropolis has a minimum of 250000.

Urbanisation like urban areas can be defined using parameters such as demography and structural transformation among others. Urbanisation is the concentration of population and economic activities in cities and large urban agglomerations.

Urbanisation refers to the changes in the proportion of the population of a nation’s living in urban areas. Urbanisation is the process by which rural areas become transformed into urban areas urbanisation is an increase in population concentration urbanisation involves an alteration in structured and patterns of organisation urbanisation involves the multiplication of points of concentration and the increase in size of individual concentrations 

HISTORY OF URBANISATION TRENDS

As at 1920, only 14% of the world’s population was urban. By 1950, 25% of the world’s population was found in urban areas. It was estimated that in 2005, 53% of the total world population will be urban living in cities less than 500,000 populations. A total of 22% of the world’s population lives in cities with population of 1-5 million populations (intermediate-cities) In Africa, while 62.1% of the population is still rural, urban growth rates is at nearly 4% per year and the most rapid in the world. It is predicted that this growth rate will be 3.5% per annum over the next 15 years.

In Ghana urbanisation is a common feature. In 1960, only 98 areas in Ghana were urban. In 1984 count the over 47,800 settlements in Ghana, 40,000 of the settlements had populations less than 500; 7000 settlements had populations ranging between 500-5000, 799 had a population above 5000 with only 2 towns with population over 1 million. 

GENERAL CAUSES OF URBANIZATION 

a) Natural increase in population: The increase in birth rates and a decrease in death rates resulting from improved health care, improved sanitation and nutrition have reduced death rates in urban areas. Theses have given rise to a natural increase. 

b) Migration Another major cause of urbanisation is migration. Migration is caused by both pull and push factors. These push factors include factors such as poverty, environmental degradation, political unrest, food insecurity, lack of infrastructural facilities in rural areas. The pull factors are all the advantages the urban areas have over the rural areas, which tend to pull the rural dwellers. These include education, electricity, and water among others. 

FORMS OF URBANIZATION

The concentration of human activities, settlements and social infrastructure depicts the dominants form of urbanization namely, 

a). Traditional UrbanizationThis portrays a mono-centric concentration of human activities and settlements around the traditional area. For instance, in Ghana most of the indigenous settlements retain their traditional divisions. In Accra, traditional towns like Asere, Gbese and Sempe still exist, as Kumasi has Manhyia, Apegya and Nsenie. 

b). Over UrbanizationThis occurs where there is excess in-migration and superimposition of limited economic development which is of the colonial type.

c). Hyper UrbanizationThis is when a society exhibits a high measure of disequilibrium between its level of urbanization and per capita income. It is likely to experience serious internal tension and increase concentration in urban activities.

d). Sub-Urbanization: This is when a settlement has enlarged forming new points of concentration outside the downtown area. This exhibits a poly- centric concentration of human activities and considered as emerging patterns of urbanisation. 

EFFECT OF URBANIZATION ON THE ENVIRONMENT

One of the most significant ways in which urbanization has affected our lives is through changes in lifestyle. As people move to cities, they often adopt a more sedentary lifestyle, relying on cars for transportation and spending less time outdoors. This has led to an increase in health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Additionally, the increased demand for housing has led to higher housing prices and overcrowding in some urban areas, making it difficult for some people to find affordable housing.

Urbanization has also had a significant impact on the environment. The expansion of urban areas has led to the destruction of natural habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity and the displacement of many plant and animal species. Additionally, the construction of roads, buildings, and other infrastructure has led to increased pollution, including air and water pollution. This has had a negative impact on human health and the health of the environment.

URBAN LANDSCAPE AS A WAY OF CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT

However, people are working to improve urban landscapes to protect the environment. One way in which this is being done is through the creation of green spaces within cities. Parks, gardens, and other green spaces can help to mitigate the effects of urbanization by providing habitat for wildlife, improving air quality, and providing space for people to exercise and relax. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve public transportation and encourage walking and biking as alternative forms of transportation. This can help to reduce air pollution and decrease reliance on cars.

Another way in which people are working to improve urban landscapes is through sustainable urban planning and design. This includes designing buildings and infrastructure that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, as well as promoting mixed-use development that reduces the need for long commutes. Additionally, efforts are being made to promote sustainable practices such as recycling, composting, and water conservation in urban areas.

CONCLUSION

Urbanisation has had a significant impact on our lives and the environment. While it has led to changes in lifestyle and increased pollution, efforts are being made to improve urban landscapes to protect the environment. Through the creation of green spaces, sustainable urban planning and design, and promotion of sustainable practices, it is possible to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization and create healthier, more sustainable cities.