Urbanisation is the shift from rural to urban living, now encompassing over 50% of the global population. It's driven by push factors like economic hardship and pull factors such as better job prospects. Rapid urbanisation, especially in developing nations, can lead to strained infrastructure and the proliferation of slums, highlighting the need for equitable urban development policies.
Show More
Urbanisation is the shift from rural to urban living, resulting in a higher proportion of the population residing in urban areas
Urbanisation in the 20th Century
In the 20th century, the world's urban population increased from 15% to over 50%, indicating a significant change in human habitation patterns
Urbanisation is driven by both push factors, such as adverse conditions in rural areas, and pull factors, such as better employment opportunities and living standards in urban centers
Rapid urbanisation can overwhelm governments' capacity to provide adequate planning, infrastructure, and services, particularly in developing countries
The rapid expansion of urban areas can lead to the development of informal settlements or slums, exacerbating social disparities and creating an excess labor supply
Urbanisation perpetuates an unequal economic structure, leading to a small elite dominating wealth and power while the majority remain impoverished
Advocates of modernisation theory view urbanisation as a beneficial driver of economic and cultural progress, promoting industrial growth and the dissemination of modern values
Dependency theorists argue that urbanisation perpetuates an unequal economic structure and fails to foster equitable development, exacerbating social inequalities
Urban slums often have inferior living conditions, with inadequate access to essential services, resulting in a higher incidence of preventable diseases and mortality
Densely populated urban slums are particularly vulnerable to the spread of pandemics, highlighting the connection between urbanisation, inequality, and public health
The ongoing debate between modernisation and dependency theories emphasizes the importance of equitable and inclusive urban development policies that cater to the needs of all city dwellers, especially the urban poor
00
Urbanisation's global population shift since early 20th century
Urban population grew from 15% to over 50%.
01
Example of a city's rapid urbanisation
Seoul's population increased from 1.4 million (1950) to over 10 million.
02
Urbanisation as an indicator of transformation
Marks societal change and economic development.
