URBANISATION

Urbanisation is a sign of modern times. Since the Industrial Revolution, many people have migrated to cities seeking better and more prosperous ways of living. As technologies advance and the global population grows, urbanisation pressures increase significantly. It is projected that by 2050, 66-70% of the world’s population will live in cities.

• Urban Population: In India, the urban population stands at 461 million people.
• Population Growth Rate: The urban population is growing by 2.3% per year.
• National Income: By 2030, cities are expected to contribute 75% of India’s national income.
• Share in GDP: Cities contribute to 63% of Indian GDP. The increasing population has caused extreme stress on urban amenities.
• Investment Gap: Estimated investment gap amounts to $827 billion.
• Most Urbanized States: Tamil Nadu 43.9%; Maharashtra 42.4%; Gujarat 37.4%
• 3 out of the world’s 21 megacities: Mumbai (19 million); Delhi (15 million); Kolkata (14 million)

Need/Importance of Urbanisation

1. Social
   • Social Infrastructure: Urbanisation develops the social infrastructure of an area and leads to better lifestyles and outcomes for the population.
   • Health Outcomes: Urbanisation involves the creation of health infrastructure, and the general availability of healthcare, thus improving health outcomes.
   • Sanitation: Wastewater treatment and efficient sewage management is lacking in many urban areas and thus impacting the overall cleanliness of cities.
   • Women Empowerment: The status of women in urban areas is higher than that of women in rural areas. Urban women are comparatively more educated and liberal.
   • Reduces Social Divisions: Caste identity tends to diminish with urbanization. Urbanites participate in networks that include persons of several castes.
   • Poverty Reduction: Rates of poverty are lower in urban areas compared to those in rural areas.
   • Homelessness: India has a high level of homelessness which is poised to increase due to climate change and more people migrating to cities.
     • Data: 17% of Indians are homeless or live in slums.
   • Disasters: It has been seen that Indian cities are vulnerable to disasters like floods, waterlogging, and urban fires. Urban development is needed to upgrade existing systems of disaster management.
2. Economic
   • Employment: Urbanisation also leads to the creation of industries and various related jobs.
   • Economic Opportunities: The depressed economic conditions of the area, availability of opportunities, and land holdings are vital determinants for population movement.
   • Digital Economy: Urbanisation results in the development of digital infrastructure through internet connectivity and the proliferation of digital media.
   • Trade and commerce: Urbanisation advances the country’s business sectors by providing more jobs and a more diverse economy.
   • Tourism industries: More people in cities means the need for better transportation systems. Foreigners are attracted to cities with great transportation for easy mobility.
   • Culture and Sciences: Improvements in culture and sciences are projected to increase through increased urbanization.
   • Investment: Better urban planning and development also generates investor interest in the nation.

Key Challenges and Issues of Urbanization

1. Social Issues:
   • Overpopulation in urban areas: Overcrowding due to rapid influx of immigrants leads to congestion.
   • Migration: High rates of migration strain city resources, increasing stress on urban capacity.
   • Violence: Unplanned urbanization may trigger urban violence and social unrest.
2. Economic Issues:
   • Energy demands: Increased consumption due to industrialization and electronic gadgets.
   • Unemployment: The allure of better living conditions draws people to cities, but not all find employment.
   • Resource Crunch: Limited access to clean water, poor air quality, and increased energy consumption.
3. Environmental Issues:
   • Air Pollution: Growing vehicle ownership increases pollution.
   • Climate Change: Inadequate city planning leaves urban populations vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
   • Inequality: Rapid urban expansion leads to the uneven distribution of resources.
   • Urban Flooding: Poor urban planning intensifies flooding risks.
   • Water Crisis: Forecasted water shortages by 2030, with a 50% deficit in supply.
4. Other Urbanization Challenges:
   • Revenue Shortfall: Insufficient local and state funding for urban infrastructure.
   • Unsustainable Services: Cities may add infrastructure without ensuring financial and environmental sustainability.
   • Delays from Legal Barriers: State laws can slow down planning processes.
   • Policy Gaps: Infrastructure policies disproportionately benefit certain groups, neglecting waste management, public transportation, and marginalized communities.

Social Effects of Urbanization

1. Family Structure:
   • Impact on family dynamics: Urbanization has affected both intra-family and inter-family relations.
   • Nuclear Families: Urban joint families are being replaced by nuclear families, with shrinking kinship ties and a focus on immediate family members rather than extended family networks.

1. Urbanization and Family:
   • Egalitarian family structure: Urbanization promotes more equality within families, where husbands and wives share decision-making roles, moving away from traditional patriarchal setups.
   • Dilution of parental authority: In urban families, children are less likely to blindly follow their parents’ commands, indicating a shift towards more independent thinking.
2. Urbanization and Caste:
   • Loss of caste identity: With education and urbanization, caste pride and identity diminish, giving way to class associations.
   • Work as a pressure group: Educated members of castes form social organizations in cities, functioning more as class groups than caste-based units.
   • Weakened caste norms: Caste practices, such as commensal (eating together) and social norms, are not strictly followed in cities, and there is greater acceptance of inter-caste marriages.
3. Urbanization and the Status of Women:
   • Higher status: Women in urban areas tend to have higher social, political, and economic rights compared to their rural counterparts.
   • Marriage age: Girls in urban areas tend to marry at a later age.
   • Participation in labor markets: Urban women are more involved in the workforce, shifting away from the role of housewives. However, they still face discrimination and challenges in the labor market.
   • Active participation: Women in urban areas are more politically and socially engaged, holding significant positions and ideologies.
   • Challenges: Urban women often face unique issues such as difficulty in balancing work and home life, higher divorce rates, and expectations to prioritize their husbands’ careers.
4. Urbanization and Village Life:
   • Rural to urban migration: This is a prominent effect of urbanization, as villagers migrate to cities for economic opportunities, transforming social and cultural life in rural areas.
   • Social prestige: Migration to urban areas is often seen as a symbol of higher social prestige in villages.
   • Influx of immigrant workers: Villages near cities face challenges due to the influx of workers, affecting housing, marketing, and social structures.
   • Non-isolated phenomenon: The process of urbanization extends beyond cities, impacting nearby rural areas as well, showing that urbanization is not confined to cities alone.

Remedies/Way Forward

• PPP Model: Public-private partnerships (PPP) should be created to provide services such as waste disposal and housing.
• Green Cover: Urban areas need to increase green spaces as a crucial part of urban planning.
• Inclusivity: Ensure that all residents, including marginalized groups such as poor workers, have representation in governance and planning.
• Waste Disposal: Scientific and proper disposal systems for solid waste and garbage are essential.
• Covering Marginalized Groups: A unified approach should be developed for covering vulnerable populations like pavement dwellers, rag-pickers, and street children.
• Social Empowerment: Local Self-Governments should lead community action to ensure inclusive urbanization.

2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) Recommendations:

• Strengthening ULBs (Urban Local Bodies): ULBs should be responsible for water supply and distribution in their territories, either independently or through collaboration.
• Sanitation: High priority should be given to sanitation with adequate infrastructure in all urban areas.
• Community Participation: Municipal bodies should encourage community participation with awareness campaigns.
• Private Sector Involvement: PPP projects for waste collection and disposal should be explored in cities with populations over 100,000.
• Urban Transport Authorities: Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities should be established in cities with over a million people for coordinated urban transport solutions.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations:

• Incentivize Vehicle Phase-out: Incentives should be created for ride-sharing systems (e.g., Ola and Uber) to reduce vehicles on the road and lower congestion and pollution.
• Waste to Energy: The government should establish an authority to promote waste-to-energy plants under the Ministry of Urban Development.
• Fiscal Powers: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) should be empowered to raise funds through municipal bonds and other financial resources.

National Commission on Urbanization (NCU) (1988):

• Economic Development: Promote a balanced spatial pattern for economic development and settlement hierarchies.
• Population Distribution: Optimum distribution of population between rural and urban areas and among different towns and cities.
• Economic Activities: Focus on small- and medium-sized growth centers for economic activity.
• Counter-Magnets: Establish counter-magnets in regions to disperse economic activities and reduce pressure on big cities.

Conclusion

The challenges of urbanization vary, and it is difficult to predict the precise changes for each nation. However, by addressing the issues through strategies like sustainable urban planning and public participation, solutions can be developed to support cities and people globally.

This concludes the discussion on urbanization, outlining possible remedies and strategies to manage its impact effectively in India.

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