Abstract: - Urbanization can describe a specific condition at a set time, i.e.

the proportion of
total population or area in cities or towns, or the term can describe the increase of this
proportion over time. Urbanization is not merely a modern phenomenon, but a rapid and
historic transformation of human social roots on a global scale, whereby predominantly rural
culture is being rapidly replaced by predominantly urban culture. Urbanization
is putting pressure on already strained water and land resources, creating competition
between the urban and agricultural sectors. In this paper we studied about what are the cause
of Urbanization and effect of Urbanization on us and environment.

Keywords:- Urbanization.

Introduction
Urbanization refers to the growth of towns and cities, often at the expense of rural areas, as
people move to urban centres in search of jobs and what they hope will be a better life. In
most countries the percentage of the total population living in urban areas is increasing.
Urbanization can have both positive and negative aspects. One of the advantages of living in
a city is the market potential of the population; that is, there is a much greater variety of
shopping opportunities than in rural areas. This may result in lower prices and longer
shopping hours. Most cities have shopping malls and big box centres with many different
stores that stay open long hours, and that often include entertainment, food, recreation, and
cultural activities to attract consumers. Many stores are owned by national and international
chains, making it difficult for small independent businesses to succeed. Urban centres are
able to provide a variety of services that small rural centres cannot. These might include a
public transportation system, water and sewage services, a greater variety of educational and
recreational facilities, and larger and more specialized healthcare facilities. On the negative
side, cities may experience traffic jams, infrastructure breakdowns such as watermain breaks,
lack of appropriate housing and jobs, and institutions that are so large that they become
impersonal. Urban centres also provide a great variety of accommodation for their citizens
ranging from individually owned houses to high-density apartments and condominiums.
Many new developments include open spaces for playgrounds, schools, and community
centres. Many cities, however, also have areas where housing is poor and may even have a
homeless population, often in downtown neighbourhoods. This may give rise to shelters for
the homeless and soup kitchens for those down on their luck. Smaller communities are often
able to provide more help because they are likely to know the individuals who need help and
because there are fewer people in need. The downtown areas of many large cities are facing
problems such as old, rundown buildings, empty stores, and substandard housing for the
inner-city population. This often leads to a variety of social problems, including vandalism,
crime, unemployment, and poverty. Sometimes cities do not have the resources or political
will to save heritage buildings or to improve life in their downtown areas. In other cases,
downtown renewal programs are having some success, but this in turn may mean that some
of the poorer population can no longer afford to live there. Many residents want larger
houses, more space, and quieter and safer neighbourhoods, which they find in the new
suburban developments far removed from the inner core of the city. This kind of growth
requires the expansion of utilities and the road network, as well as the provision of services
such as schools, recreation, health care, and retail business. The growth of suburbs also leads
to increased reliance on automobiles for commuting to work, resulting in frequent traffic
problems as well as air pollution through the heavy reliance of fossil fuels. In the case of
many less-developed countries, cities are simply not able to handle the influx of residents,
which may result in the growth of shantytowns and large suburban slum areas with a variety
of associated problems. Industrial and manufacturing industries are associated with most
cities. The presence of such industries can provide cities with locally produced consumer
products, employment opportunities, and extra tax revenues. On the other hand, the presence
of industry and manufacturing can add to problems related to transportation and water and air
quality in urban centres. Many major urban centres have areas with a large number of
residents of a particular ethnic or cultural group. Sometimes referred to as ethnic
neighbourhoods, these places often reflect the cultures, foods, institutions, and entertainment
of the people who live there. Although urbanization is accompanied by many problems and
challenges, many city governments are working hard at minimizing and resolving these
problems and at making their cities pleasant and comfortable places to live.

II. CAUSES OF URBANIZATION

Industrialization, Social factors, modernization and economic opportunity cause urbanization,

or an increase in the number of people moving from rural to urban areas. Reasons of
urbanization are given below:
Migration:
People migrate themselves from rural areas to the town, industrial areas because of the
relatively better employment opportunities available there.

Commercialization:
Commercialization and trade comes with the general perception that the towns and cities
offer better commercial opportunities and returns compared to the rural areas.

i. Industrial growth:
Industrial growth is a major cause of urbanization. It has expanded the employment
opportunities. Rural people have migrated to cities on account of better employment
opportunities. When urban population growth rate is 40% in India, the industrial growth rate
is about 60% per annum.

ii. Social Factor:

Many social factors such as attraction of cities, better standard of living, better educational
facilities, need for status also induce people to migrate to cities. There are numerous social
benefits attributed to life in the cities and towns.

iii. Employment opportunities:

In rural sector people have to depend mainly on agriculture for their livelihood. But Indian
agriculture is depending on monsoon. In drought situations or natural calamities, rural
people have to migrate to cities. In cities and towns, there are ample job opportunities that
continually draw people from the rural areas to seek better livelihood. Therefore, the majority
of people frequently migrate into urban areas to access well paying jobs as urban areas have
countless employment opportunities in all developmental sectors such as public
health, education, transport, sports and recreation, industries, and business enterprises.
iv. Modernization:
Urban areas are characterized by sophisticated technology better infrastructure,
communication, medical facilities, etc. In urban areas, people also embrace changes in the
modes of living namely residential habits, attitudes, dressing, food, and beliefs.

Defective town planning:

A more alarming factor in the general deterioration in the standard of civic services is the
growing sense of helplessness of our planners and administrators.

Threats

• Intensive urban growth can lead to greater poverty, with 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 lead 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
habitat and food sources.

Solutions
• Combat poverty by promoting economic development and job creation.
• Involve local community in local government.
• Reduce air pollution by upgrading energy use and alternative transport systems.
• Create private-public partnerships to provide services such as waste disposal and
housing.
• Plant trees and incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban
planning.
• India's current Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also came forward to resolve the
issues related to urbanization. To manage city system and fulfil the great demands of
inhabitants due to the rapid urbanization, specialists have stated that government must
focus on two critical factors which is solid waste management and waste water
treatment. But the Gujarat government on its part has taken up 50 towns in the state
and took initiatives like 'Clean city, Green city' in partnership to execute solid waste
management and waste water treatment. In order to decrease discrimination, Mr.
Modi stated that there is a need to concentrate on comprehensive growth and must
recognize the most backward areas in cities and towns and provide basic amenities in
place. There is an urgent need to develop social mechanisms which will assist to
reduce inequality and make sure the basics like health, sanitation, education to reach
those who have been underprivileged of the same. Mr. Modi has realized that most of
the urban actions are technical but the employees who do these jobs are often clerical
level therefore there must be focus on opening universities on urban planning, urban
infrastructure, urban development for the assistance of young people to learn how to
meet the demands of urbanization.
III. IMPACT OF URBANIZATION
The urban heat island has become a growing concern and is increasing over the years. The
urban heat island is formed when industrial and urban areas are developed and heat becomes
more abundant. Urbanization also comes with costs.
Some impact or effect of urbanization is given below
Crime is the worst impact of urbanization.
Global warming.
Pollution.
Lack of sanitation.
Slums and its consequences of overcrowding.
Urbanization is encouraged socially and culturally through the media.
Waste are a major problem in large cities.
Traffic congestion.
Unemployment grows, crime and homelessness

IV. CONCLUSION
Nowadays, 54 per cent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is
expected to increase to 66 per cent by 2050. China and India are both urbanizing rapidly, but
China has embraced and shaped the process, while India is still waking up to its urban
realities and opportunities. Urbanization in India began to accelerate after independence,
due to the country's adoption of a mixed economy, which gave rise to the development of the
private sector. From above review we conclude that Urbanization is not good for us.
Urbanization impacts the environment through the strain of resources, including food, water,
energy and the land itself, which increases as the population within the urban area increases.

REFERENCES
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[2]. Business Standard (15 June 2012). "Victims of urbanization: India,
Indonesia and China". Rediff.com. Retrieved 15 June 2012
[3]. What is Urbanization? By Rinkesh < http://www.conserve-energyfuture.
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