Urbanization is the process of shifting people from rural areas to cities and towns. Urbanization refers to the formation of towns and cities. As more people move into central areas, they can expect to enjoy better living standards. According to the United Nations, 86% of developed countries and 64% in the developing world are expected to be urbanized by 2050. This means that there will be approximately 3 Billion urbanites. The majority of these urbanites will be located in Asia-Pacific and Africa.
Urbanization is a key factor in environmental change. Economic growth can lead to severe environmental impacts. Numerous studies have shown that urbanization is occurring all over the globe without planning, control or environmental protection. This is a problem. This makes it possible to transform existing concerns, such as drainage issues, into regional problems (such as river pollution), which in turn causes global problems through marine pollution. The environment is a major challenge in our modern city-life. Urban residents have no choice but be a part of their environment. They alter their environment by changing the way they use and consume resources like food, water and energy. This polluted environment has a negative impact on the health and quality of people. Because of the growing urban population and their demands, there is a poor environment and water quality. There are also problems with waste-disposal and water quality. Despite the advancements in technology, energy consumption is rising for heating, cooking, electric vehicles, and other industrial uses. This increase in energy consumption will have severe environmental consequences. High levels of Sulphur dioxide, smoke and other pollutants from factories and industries are extremely dangerous. It is increasing that fossil fuels like petrol and coal are being burned to produce electricity. This not only makes it more dangerous but also increases greenhouse gas emissions. This causes smog to form. Cloudiness, fog and more acid rain are common. This can increase the risk of flooding and water pollution. Global warming is caused by climate change and greenhouse gases. Urbanization can also lead to deforestation, which is a very dangerous side effect. Deforestation is a problem because it increases pollution in the air, water, soil and environment. However, it can also impact wildlife and the ecology. Is urbanization more environmentally friendly or less? This is the big question. It’s a question that can be debated endlessly and there seems to not be an answer. However, the relationship between urbanizations and their environment may not be proportional in all cases.
When they are managed well, big cities can not create more environmental problems than small ones. This means that it is not only the amount of urbanization but also the people’s behavior and how they use resources and live. These problems will only be managed if strong, scientifically sound city planning is in place.
