WORLDS URBANISATION

Approximately 4.4 billion people, or 56% of the world's population, live in cities today. By 2050, almost seven out of ten people will live in cities as a result of this trend, with the urban population expected to have more than doubled from its current size.

Currently, 56.2% of people on the whole globe reside in cities. The region with the largest shift is Latin America and the Caribbean, where 81.2% of people live in cities, up from 41.3% in 1950. On October 31, the United Nations observed Cities Day as a way to highlight urbanization.

The percentage of people living in urban areas worldwide has increased from about one-third in 1950 to over 55% as of right now. It is anticipated that this trend will continue, with an approximate two-thirds increase in the urban population by 2050. Among the most important aspects of urbanization are:

According to UN estimates, there will be 1.5 times as many people living in cities worldwide by 2045—that is, 6 billion people.

Currently, 55% of people on Earth live in urban areas, and by 2050, that number is predicted to rise to 68%. A new harmonized definition known as the Degree of Urbanization divides human settlements into three main classes: cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas. This definition makes it easier to compare urbanization across national boundaries.

The percentage of people living in urban areas worldwide has increased from about one-third in 1950 to over 55% as of right now. It is anticipated that this trend will continue, with an approximate two-thirds increase in the urban population by 2050. Among the most important aspects of urbanization are:

According to UN estimates, there will be 1.5 times as many people living in cities worldwide by 2045—that is, 6 billion people.

Currently, 55% of people on Earth live in urban areas, and by 2050, that number is predicted to rise to 68%. A new harmonized definition known as the Degree of Urbanization divides human settlements into three main classes: cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas. This definition makes it easier to compare urbanization across national boundaries.

MAP SHOWING THE WORLDS URBANISATION

HISTORY OF URBANISATION

The process through which rural villages develop into cities, or urban centers, and subsequently the spread and growth of those cities, is known as urbanization. Scholars disagree as to why urbanization started in ancient Mesopotamia during the Uruk Period (4300–3100 BCE), although it is thought that a highly successful and efficient hamlet drew the interest of other, less successful tribes, who subsequently joined the rich town.

Prior to global urbanization, the rate of urbanization increased gradually during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In 1800, hardly 3% of people on the planet were urban dwellers. One hundred years later, in 1900, twelve cities had a population of one million or more, and 14% of the world's population resided in urban regions. Not quite fifty years later, in 1950, 83 cities had a population of more than one million people, and more than thirty percent of people on the planet resided in metropolitan regions. The percentage of people living in urban regions worldwide has increased from about one-third in 1950 to over 55% as of right now. It is anticipated that this tendency will continue, with an approximate two-thirds rise in the urban population by 2050.

ADVANTAGES OF WORLD URBANISATION

Convenience: People who live in urban areas have easier access to services that they might not have in a rural area, such as healthcare, education, and other services. When people want to go out, they can travel to different places and navigate the city more easily.

Improved Economy: As a result of urbanization, there are more job opportunities, greater wages, and higher living standards.

Better Education: Extracurricular activities and a wide variety of high-quality educational opportunities are available in urban areas.

Better Social Life: As a result of the increased diversity brought about by urbanization, social life is improved.

Enhanced Trade: Urbanization promotes heightened trade, which can accelerate economic expansion and generate additional job opportunities.

Greater Livelihood Options: As a result of urbanization, there are more options for sustaining one's livelihood, which can raise one's standard of living.

Foreign Investment: As cities become more urbanized, they tend to draw in foreign investment, which can spur economic growth and employment creation.

Decreased Unemployment: Urbanization has the potential to lower unemployment rates, particularly in emerging nations.

Better Transportation Facilities: As a result of urbanization, there are improvements to transportation that can facilitate commuting and travel.

Enhanced Infrastructure and Services: As a result of urbanization, there may be improvements in infrastructure and services for locals, enhancing their quality of life.

CHALLEGES OF WORLD URBANISATION

Urbanization can result in overcrowding or overpopulation, which can exacerbate social problems, pollution, and resource shortages in cities.

Unemployment: People who are looking for improved job prospects are generally drawn to urbanization, yet significant unemployment rates can result from cities' rapid growth, particularly in developing nations.

Housing Issues: As a result of urbanization, there is a sharp rise in the demand for cheap housing, which causes a scarcity of available space and expensive rents.

Slum Development: Slums, which are typified by subpar living conditions, inadequate housing, and a lack of essential services, can arise as a result of poverty and overcrowding.

Bad Air and Water Quality: Because of their dense populations, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure, urban areas frequently have poor air and water quality.

Problems with garbage disposal: Urban areas produce a lot of waste, which can lead to environmental problems and health risks.

High Energy Consumption: Cities with dense populations and infrastructure frequently have high energy consumption rates, which exacerbate climate change and air pollution.

Social Inequality: While lower-income citizens may experience greater poverty and marginalization, wealthier individuals may profit more from urban amenities, which can worsen social disparities.

Environmental Hazards: The risk of environmental hazards like pollution and flash flooding can be increased by dense urban growth.

Loss of Urban Tree Cover: Urban development may result in the reduction of urban tree cover, which may have detrimental effects on the health of local populations and ecosystems.

In conclusion, with over half of the world's population currently residing in urban areas, urbanization is a relatively recent phenomenon in human history. Economic growth, better access to healthcare and education, a more varied cultural environment, increased trade, better investment opportunities, more options for a living, foreign investment, lower unemployment, and better transportation systems are just a few advantages that urbanization has brought about. But it also brings with it problems like slum development, traffic jams, pollution, and overcrowding. It is crucial to address these issues through efficient city planning, the development of infrastructure, and the provision of essential services for all citizens in order to ensure sustainable urban development.

REFERENCE

Urbanization - Our World in Data

Urban Development Overview - World Bank

Urbanization - United Nations Population Fund

World Cities Report 2022 - UN-Habitat

Urbanization | Population Division - the United Nations

The risks of rapid urbanization in developing countries - Zurich Insurance Group

World Cities Report 2022 - UN-Habitat

Advantages and Disadvantages of Urbanization - Javatpoint