Urbanization

Urbanization is the process by which people move from rural to urban regions, which results in a decline in the number of people living in rural areas, and the way communities adjust to this transition.

• According to NITI Aayog, cities in India occupy only 3% of the land, but they contribute 60% of the GDP.
• India is the world's second largest urban system, with almost 11% of the total global urban population residing in Indian cities.
• Within the next two decades, India's urban population is predicted to exceed 50% of the total population.
• By 2036, urban growth is predicted to account for 73% of overall population growth.

• Number of urban agglomeration /towns has grown from 1827 in 1901 to 7935 in 2011.
• Number of the total population has increased from 23.84 crores in 1901 to 121.7 crores in 2011 whereas number of the population residing in urban areas has increased from 2.58 crores in 1901 to 37.71 crores in 2011.

Factors leading to Urbanization

• It is influenced by both Push factors (that drive people away from rural regions) i.e., Poor living conditions, lack of educational, economic opportunities and poor health care facilities.                
• Pull factor (that lure people to cities) i.e. Employment opportunities, educational institutions and urban lifestyle etc.

Problems and Issues with Urbanization

Social Consequences of Urbanization:

• Population Density Growth: Urbanisation leads to an increase in population density. Cities like Tokyo, Delhi, and New York are prime examples of areas where population density is extremely high due to urbanization.
• Changes in Family Structure: In rural areas, joint families are more prevalent. However, due to the small space in urban areas, nuclear families become more common, as seen in cities like London or San Francisco.
• Gentrification: This is a process of changing the character of a neighbourhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses.
• Cultural Diversity: With people migrating from various regions and countries, urban areas become cultural melting pots. For instance, cities like Toronto and New York are known for their multiculturalism.
• Increase in Crime Rates: With increased population density, crime rates often increase. For example, crime rates are typically higher in urban areas such as Chicago or Johannesburg compared to rural regions.
• Lack of Social Control: The process of urbanization also leads to breakdown in the functioning of traditional institutions and patterns of behaviour and of social control. It leads to a situation of continuity and change in the sense that the traditional forms often continue to persist, but their functions undergo major re-adaptations in the face of urbanization.
• Maladjustment: In the field of economic activities, even in a rapidly growing city, the number of opportunities for successful adjustment are smaller than the number of competitors. In such a situation, several among those, who are the losers, fail to suitably adjust to the reality, and become victims of frustration, inferiority complex and loss of a meaningful integration with the totality of city-life. All such failures give rise to the problem of maladjustment.

• Environmental Degradation: Rapid urbanization often results in environmental problems like pollution and habitat destruction. Beijing and Delhi, for instance, are grappling with severe air pollution issues.
• Social Inequality: Inequality can become more pronounced in urban areas, with visible divides between affluent and poor neighborhoods. Cities like Rio de Janeiro, with its stark contrast between favelas and upscale districts, exemplify this.
• Economic Opportunities and Disparities: Urban areas offer increased job opportunities but also heightened competition. Silicon Valley, for example, is a hub for tech jobs, but also has high costs of living and socioeconomic disparities.
• Loss of Community Bonding: In many urban areas, individuals can experience a sense of anonymity and isolation, compared to tight-knit rural communities. The relationships of community-living tend to become impersonal, formal, goal- oriented, contractual and transitory.
• Alienation: Urban citizens often report a loss of sense of belongingness as they move away from their cultural and social roots.

 Impact of Urbanization on Rural Areas

• Rural-to-Urban Migration: Urbanisation attracts people from rural areas in search of better living conditions and opportunities. According to the 2011 census, approximately 35% of India's population lived in urban areas, up from 27.8% in 2001. This trend continues, leading to a reduction in rural populations.
• Changes in Agricultural Practices: Urbanisation can impact the agricultural practices in rural areas. With fewer people available to farm, mechanization increases, which can have both positive (efficiency) and negative (small farmers can't afford) impacts.
• Remittances: Migrants often send money back home, contributing to the rural economy. As per the World Bank, in 2020, India was the largest recipient of remittances globally, a significant portion of which flowed into rural areas.
• Urban Sprawl: As cities expand, they begin to encroach on rural lands, leading to loss of farmland and natural habitats. This is evident around cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
• Improved Infrastructure: Urbanisation can lead to improved infrastructure in nearby rural areas, such as better road connectivity, electricity, and internet access. However, disparities persist between remote rural areas and those close to cities.
• Education and Health Services: Urbanisation can lead to better access to education and healthcare in rural areas, with more schools, colleges, and hospitals being built in these regions. However, quality and accessibility remain significant issues.
• Environmental Impact: Urbanisation can cause environmental degradation in rural areas, due to increased pollution and waste from nearby urban areas, as well as deforestation for construction purposes.
• Social Changes: Rural societies are traditionally organized along caste and kinship lines. Urban influences can disrupt these social structures, sometimes leading to tension but also possibly fostering greater social mobility and equity.
• Economic Diversification: With urban influence, rural economies often diversify, with increases in non-agricultural occupations such as rural tourism, retail, and small-scale industries. However, this also leads to changes in traditional livelihoods.

Urban Planning and Role of Urban Bodies

Urban Planning in India

• Master Planning: Urban planning in India often involves creating master plans for cities. These plans dictate the use of land, transportation lines, and locations for different types of buildings like residential, commercial, and industrial.
• Zoning Regulations: Urban planning includes creating zoning regulations that control the types of structures and activities that can take place in different parts of the city, ensuring orderly growth.
• Infrastructure Development: Urban planning involves designing and implementing infrastructure like roads, parks, sewage and waste disposal systems, and public transport networks.
• Sustainability and Environment: Modern urban planning places emphasis on sustainable growth and green initiatives, ensuring that the impact on the environment is minimized.
  

Role of Urban Local Bodies in Urbanization in India:

• Basic Amenities Provision: Urban local bodies (ULBs), like Municipal Corporations, are responsible for providing basic amenities like water supply, sewage treatment, garbage disposal, and street lighting.
• Implementing Urban Plans: ULBs have the role of implementing the master plans drawn up by urban planners, including the construction of infrastructure and regulation of building activities.
• Regulatory Functions: ULBs also have regulatory functions such as granting building permits, ensuring compliance with city codes and regulations, and managing public health and safety.
• Local Governance and Citizen Engagement: ULBs serve as the primary point of contact for citizens, addressing grievances, and facilitating citizen participation in local governance. They are essential for ensuring the democratic process at the local level.

Problems of Slums

Slums in India:

The Government of India, for purposes of the implementation of various schemes relating to urban development, has defined a slum area as follows: “A slum area means any area where such dwellings predominate, which by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement and design of buildings, narrowness and faulty arrangement of street, lack of ventilation, lack of sanitation facilities, inadequacy of open spaces and community facilities or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morale. “

 Challenges associated with Slums

• Social exclusion and marginalization due to stigmatization, discrimination, and limited opportunities for social and economic mobility.
• Limited access to basic services, lack of adequate healthcare services
• Inadequate sanitation and hygiene
• High crime rates and insecurity due to factors such as unemployment, limited law enforcement presence, and social disorganization
• Inadequate waste management, pollution, and lack of access to clean water sources.
• low-wage informal employment and a lack of access to skill development and training programs.
• Poor housing conditions: Slum dwellings often lack basic amenities and infrastructure, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, and proper ventilation. The housing structures are often overcrowded, poorly constructed, and vulnerable to natural disasters, posing significant health and safety risks.

 Initiatives by Government of India for Slum Dwellers:

• PM AWAS Yojna-Urban: The provision of “in-situ” redevelopment for providing houses to all eligible slum dwellers.
• National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy 2007
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (National Urban Livelihoods Mission)
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
• National Slum Development Programme (NSDP)
• Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programmes
• SwarnaJayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY)
• Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP),

 Conclusion: Urban development plays a vital role in shaping the social, economic, and environmental aspects of a city or urban area. It encompasses various factors such as infrastructure, housing, transportation, sustainability, and quality of life. Effective urban development practices can contribute to the growth and prosperity of cities, while addressing the challenges and opportunities they face.