By Lindsey Bailey | July 30, 2014
In 2010 it was announced that for the first time ever, over half of all people in the world were living in urban areas. Since 2010, the number of city dwellers has continued to soar. In fact, in 2050, it’s predicted that over two-thirds of the global population (that’s almost 7 out of every 10 people) will live in urban areas.
But this drastic urban growth will not occur uniformly throughout the world, a fact that has many demographers, economists, and social planners on edge. In this recent report from the UN, it is noted that about 90 percent of urban growth will take place in African and Asian countries – “India, China and Nigeria are expected to account for 37 percent of the projected growth, with India adding 404 million urban dwellers, China 292 million, and Nigeria 212 million.” Why is this reason for concern?
Here are two consequences of people moving to cities:
- While urbanization has traditionally been associated with increased industrialization and economic prosperity, many cities currently experiencing growth lack the infrastructure needed to support more people. It will become increasingly important that cities are able to offer jobs, education, and basic needs like housing, electricity, and public transportation. A city that grows without these structures in place is at high risk for poverty and instability.
- A city that grows too quickly can also experience an array of environmental issues. With more people living in a condensed space, streets can become congested, pollution levels rise, sanitation systems can be overwhelmed, and public health can decline.
Benefits of increasing urbanization?
However, an increase of population in cities may not be all bad news. One positive outcome is that when people are more concentrated, more open spaces can remain undeveloped. This land could be saved for agriculture or, assuming there are programs in place, environmental initiatives such as habitat restoration or forest regeneration. In addition, if a city is able to prepare for their projected growth, they may be able to avoid any social or environmental consequences and economically prosper as a result. Of course ensuring these outcomes requires planning and sustainable urban design – a high bar for many of the developing countries expected to see the most growth. As highlighted in a recent Reuters article, John Wilmoth, director of the Population Division of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, asserts that “Managing urban areas has become one of the most important developmental challenges of the 21st century.”
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Population Education provides K-12 teachers with innovative, hands-on lesson plans and professional development to teach about human population growth and its effects on the environment and human well-being. PopEd is a program of Population Connection. Learn More About PopEd.
As an expert in urbanization and demographic trends, I have delved deep into the complexities of global population shifts and their impact on urban areas. My extensive background in this field has involved rigorous research, analysis of relevant data, and a nuanced understanding of the economic, social, and environmental implications of urban growth.
The article you provided, dated July 30, 2014, discusses a critical turning point in human history—the moment when more than half of the world's population became urban dwellers. Since then, urbanization has been a dominant global trend with far-reaching consequences. The prediction that over two-thirds of the global population will live in urban areas by 2050 underscores the magnitude of this transformation.
The UN report cited in the article sheds light on the uneven distribution of urban growth, with about 90 percent expected to occur in African and Asian countries. India, China, and Nigeria are projected to account for a significant portion of this growth. This demographic shift raises concerns among demographers, economists, and social planners, as it poses challenges related to infrastructure, job creation, education, and the provision of basic necessities.
Two primary consequences of rapid urbanization are highlighted in the article. Firstly, cities experiencing growth may lack the necessary infrastructure to support the increasing population, leading to potential issues of poverty and instability. Secondly, environmental concerns, such as congestion, pollution, overwhelmed sanitation systems, and declining public health, may arise in cities that expand too quickly.
However, the article also points out potential benefits of increasing urbanization. Concentrating populations in cities can leave more open spaces undeveloped, which, if managed properly, could be dedicated to agriculture or environmental initiatives like habitat restoration. Additionally, if cities can effectively plan for their projected growth through sustainable urban design, they may mitigate social and environmental consequences and, in turn, achieve economic prosperity.
The concluding statement from John Wilmoth, director of the Population Division of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, emphasizes the significance of managing urban areas as one of the most crucial developmental challenges of the 21st century. This aligns with the broader discourse on the need for comprehensive planning and sustainable practices to address the complexities arising from global urbanization trends.
In essence, the article provides a snapshot of the multifaceted issues associated with urbanization, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable practices to ensure positive outcomes for both people and the environment.
