Problems caused by urbanization in cities

Urban problems

 

With rapid urbanization, various social, economic, environmental, and political problems have arisen in many countries of the world. These urban problems are commonly identified in developing countries and finding solutions to these problems has been a difficult task.

Socioeconomic problems due to urbanization

Pressure on resources

Based on the push factors in rural areas and the pull factors in urban areas, the number of people attracted to cities is high, but due to the accumulation of an unlimited number of people around cities where there are limited resources, there is a natural pressure on existing urban resources, especially land, and water. This kind of intense pressure occurs in developing countries, almost all the developed land has been used for human needs due to heavy population migration. Unauthorized settlement of people can also be seen in inappropriate areas and conditions such as the rapid rise in the price of land and fragmentation of existing land can also be identified.

Resource constraints pose serious challenges and addressing these resource constraints is critical for sustainable development. The interconnected world has limited resources, whether natural, human, or financial. The set of factors includes rapid advances in technology, growing populations, and economies that greatly outstrip the supply of needed resources, making resource constraints more severe.

Urbanization, the process by which rural people migrate to cities for better opportunities, has been a hallmark of modern development. However, the rapid and unplanned growth of urban centers has led to significant socio-economic challenges, primarily resource overcrowding. This phenomenon is particularly evident in developing countries, where the pace of urbanization often exceeds the capacity of cities to accommodate new inhabitants.

Urban poverty

Poverty can basically be identified as the inability to fulfill the basic needs of man. The poverty line is used to identify this situation and based on the per capita income of the daily people to identify the low-income earners as those who have been caught in this penalty, it is also possible to identify the poverty concerning the total population of the country. The existing poverty among people can be identified in rural and urban areas. This is due to the increase in the cost of living and changes in lifestyle Economic poverty has become a fundamental problem. Due to this situation, the ability of urban people to increase their income earning capacity, consumer patterns, housing level, educational level, access to services, etc. has been created. People are attracted to these cities and can identify them, but the opportunity for urban areas to provide jobs suitable for the number of people migrating to cities has decreased. Therefore, people are desperate for employment in the informal sector. In many developing countries, the majority of the urban population has turned to formal sector jobs. The inability and urban poverty have led to this kind of situation. The gap between the rich and the poor is sharply increasing and a significant proportion of the urban population in developing countries is below the poverty line. In Africa alone, 43% of the urban population is below the poverty line! As far as countries are concerned, this percentage has exceeded 50% in states like Chad, due to poverty there have been people who cannot get adequate education, health, and residential facilities. It has also directly affected the rise of various social issues.

Housing shortage and construction of unauthorized settlements

Another facet of urban social problems is the lack of housing and the construction of illegal settlements. These problems related to urban settlements have arisen because the people who are drawn to cities do not have enough houses and do not have enough economic power to build houses. As a solution, urban slum dwellers and the creation of shacks can be identified more closely in many developing countries. According to the definition of the United Nations Habitat Program, slum dwellers are people living in urban areas without one or more factors of permanent residence, adequate living environment, adequate water sources, adequate sanitation facilities, and land use.

Most of the residents are squatters

The land being used is marginal land

Construction on land used for other government development activities

Construction of settlements in a very short period of time

Lack of standard of construction

Most settlements are temporary

998 million of the world's urban population live in slums and 933 million of that number belong to developing countries, with sub-Saharan Africa leading the way and 119 million living in slums.

According to the UN-Habitat Report, 2010, the largest concentration of slum settlements in the world can be identified below.

Orangi Town, Karachi, Pakistan - 2.4 million

Ciudad Nesa, Mexico - 1.2 million

Daravi, Mumbai - 1 million

Kibera, Kenya - 0.7 million

Kayelitza, South Africa - 0.4 million

In the last decade, a rapid growth in the spread of urban slums can be identified, due to which economic setbacks, sanitary problems, the spread of social diseases, and the increase in crime have created adverse conditions.

Nutritional problems

It has become problematic for a significant number of urban people to meet their daily nutritional needs, especially the limited space available for cultivation near homes and the relative increase in food prices have led to the rise of conditions such as global food crises and economic recessions, this situation has become more intense, the greater impact of nutritional deficiency Urban child population in Lakwana A major fact that has been revealed in a survey of fifteen African countries is that urban child malnutrition is higher than rural child malnutrition. That is appreciated.

[Urbanization in Developing Countries, 2008] In addition to malnutrition, the urban snack street food culture has also contributed to nutritional problems, especially the number of urban populations exposed to the risk of non-communicable diseases due to the consumption of a diet high in sugar and fat.

In the modern world, one would expect advances in technology, agriculture, and international trade to translate into a healthier population. However, this is far from the truth as one might think. The crisis of malnutrition is universal, affecting billions of people on the global stage, regardless of economic ability. On the other hand, problems of nutrition are not the exclusive right of underdeveloped nations. It affects the rich and the poor across continents. The factors of nutrition with its effects on health productivity for the average lifespan of an individual are very wide-ranging.

Malnutrition is one of the nutritional problems and it is multifaceted, it has two forms namely undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition is used to describe a condition in which there is an insufficient supply of essential nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, weakened immunity, and an increased chance of infection and disease. This is more prevalent in developing countries where food security and diverse diets are an issue. Women and children are particularly vulnerable as malnutrition during childhood and pregnancy has lasting effects such as health problems and stunted brain development.

Micronutrient deficiencies, known as "hidden hunger," are another critical component of the nutrition problem. Even when individuals consume adequate calories, they may lack essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc. These deficiencies can cause serious health problems, including anemia, poor immune function, poor vision, and developmental delays in children. Addressing micronutrient deficiencies requires a focus on dietary diversity and staple food fortification.

The root causes of nutritional problems are multiple and often interrelated. Poverty is a significant driver that limits access to nutritious food and health services. However, even in rich countries, food insecurity is a growing problem. Economic inequality, lack of education and inadequate food distribution systems contribute to the persistence of nutritional problems. Additionally, cultural factors and food preferences play a role in shaping nutritional outcomes. For example, some societies may prioritize certain foods over others, leading to unbalanced diets.

Addressing the nutritional problem requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions should work together to implement effective policies and programs. Key strategies include improving food security through sustainable agricultural practices, improving access to healthcare and nutrition education, and implementing social protection measures to support vulnerable populations.

Education plays a key role in promoting better nutrition. Raising awareness of the importance of a balanced diet and teaching individuals how to make healthy food choices can lead to significant improvements in nutritional status. Schools and community programs can serve as platforms for disseminating nutrition information and encouraging healthy eating habits from an early age.

Moreover, technological advances can play a critical role in addressing nutritional challenges. Innovations in agriculture, such as biofortification and precision farming, can increase food production by improving the nutritional quality of crops. Digital tools and mobile apps can provide real-time nutrition advice and support, empowering people to make informed choices.

Finally, the nutrition issue is a complex and pervasive problem that requires collective efforts from multiple stakeholders. By addressing root causes and implementing targeted interventions, we can work towards a world where everyone has access to the nutrition they need for a healthy and fulfilling life. The journey towards better nutrition is not only a moral imperative, but also a critical step towards achieving sustainable development and improving the overall well-being of societies.

Traffic congestion

Due to the large number of people living in the cities of developing countries and the daily traffic activities, heavy traffic can be seen, especially in the Asian mega cities such as New Delhi, Calcutta, Shanghai, and Dhaka where there is a large number of people, such traffic jams are constantly seen. The occurrence of traffic problems in these cities may be a contributing factor.

Roads are not wide enough to accommodate the amount of traffic in the city

Presence of substandard road systems

Traffic congestion

Increasing diversity of vehicles entering the city

Based on the reasons for these vehicles, problematic situations have been created in the cities, especially traffic congestion is the main reason for the occurrence of high air pollution, due to the burning of fossil fuels, the emission of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide directly affects the air pollution. Meanwhile, there was a lower level of inhalable gas in the vicinity of the urban area. In addition to this, loss of human efficiency and poor public transport services have been created due to traffic congestion and traffic congestion and related traffic accidents kill around 1.5 million people in developing countries and around 50 million people suffer accidents in developing countries. Traffic accidents are the primary cause of death in urban youth age groups in existing countries.

The problem of traffic congestion in the context of urbanization is a perennial problem that defines many urbanized regions of the world. The problem is due to rapid population growth, for example, increased car ownership and lack of infrastructure. During the growth of a city, the area and number of roads usually cannot keep up with the increased demand, resulting in an undesirable impact on traffic due to longer travel times. In developing economies, this challenge is further compounded by the unplanned growth of urban areas.

Traffic congestion has many negative effects and is now called a 'multifaceted problem'. From an economic perspective, it reduces overall efficiency by wasting valuable hours that could be spent on work or leisure activities. From an environmental point of view, excessive engine idling of cars caught in traffic jams is a significant source of air pollution and greenhouse gases that worsen climate change. From a social point of view, traffic congestion is a daily stressor for drivers, which can negatively affect their mental well-being. Also, delays caused by overcrowding in providing services to life-threatening patients can be devastating.

Apart from these specific causes of heavy congestion include lack of adequate public transport facilities, failure of engineers to design appropriate road systems, and lack of traffic demand management policies such as carpool subsidies or congestion pricing policies. Also, with a rapid increase in immigration to cities already struggling to accommodate residents and workers, the problem is only getting worse.

Controlling traffic congestion requires a multi-pronged solution that includes building better public transport systems, developing smart city plans that facilitate walking and cycling, and deploying technologies such as traffic systems and rideshares. Additionally, the problem can be alleviated by promoting sustainable working methods such as telecommuting and staggered working hours.

If the problem is not solved, the rapid urbanization of people will be threatened by economic, environmental, and social traffic jams.

Urban crime and abuse

Urban character and employment in the informal sector have directly contributed to crime and abuse, and the rapid growth of this crime wave can be identified in slums and slums in developing countries. Due to organized crime, a large number of crimes are committed daily in cities, especially in developing countries. Forty-two of the world's fifty most crime-ridden cities are located in Latin America. (business incident report.2027) This kind of atmosphere has been created due to underworld activities, drug trafficking, organized crime, and weaknesses in law enforcement have led to the development of this atmosphere. The 5 most crime-ridden cities in the world are shown below.

Los Cabos - Mexico

Caracas - Venezuela

Acapulco - Mexico

Natal - Brazil

Tijuana - Mexico

Los Cabos has a high homicide rate. There are 111 murders per 100,000 people in the report. Also, these criminal and abusive situations have directly affected the mental well-being of the urban dwellers and have also led to the development of fear and mental illness.

Urbanization, population growth, and the development of cities, while bringing social and economic benefits, also lead to challenges such as urban crime and abuse. Urban crime and abuse are problems caused by population growth in cities, economic imbalances, and social imbalances.

Urban crime

Robbery and theft

For example, the city of Johannesburg has seen an increase in robberies and thefts. As the city's population increases, economic imbalances increase, and crimes such as robbery and theft are on the rise.

Drug crimes

For example, the city of Rio de Janeiro has seen an increase in crimes such as drug trafficking, drug use, and drug sales. With the increase in drug trafficking activities in this city, there has been an increase in urban crime.

Conflicts and attacks

For example, the city of Nairobi has seen an increase in conflicts and attacks. With the increase in population, there is an increase in social imbalances, as well as an increase in crimes such as conflicts and assaults.

Social abuse

For example, with increasing economic imbalances in the city of Mombasa, there is an increase in social abuse. With the increase in population, with the increase in social imbalances, there is an increase in social abuse.

Economic abuse

For example, New Zealand's Excelsior City has seen an increase in economic abuse due to economic imbalances. As the population increases, economic imbalances increase and economic abuses increase.

Urban crime and abuse are problems caused by the increasing population in cities. While urbanization, city development, and population growth bring social and economic benefits, they also lead to challenges such as urban crime and abuse.

Drinking water problems

Due to high population concentration, providing drinking water to urban people in developing countries has become a very problematic situation. At least three people in the slums of Dakar, Senegal, draw water from a public tap. There were about 500-1500. Also, states such as India, Pakistan, and Nigeria restrict water supply for several hours a day. Many countries can recognize the need to buy water due to the lack of water. City dwellers have to pay more than normal water tax.

Urbanization, characterized by the migration of people from rural to urban areas and the expansion of cities, has become a hallmark of modern development. However, this rapid urban growth brings many challenges, one of the most critical of which is the drinking water crisis.

As the urban population increases, the demand for potable water increases. Cities often struggle to provide adequate and safe water to their residents, leading to a host of problems.

With more people living in urban areas, water consumption rises dramatically. Natural water sources like rivers, lakes and aquifers are depleting at an alarming rate. Of particular concern is over-extraction of groundwater, as it can cause wells to dry up and water tables to drop significantly, making access to clean water difficult.

As urban areas expand, competition for water sources intensifies. Agriculture, industry and households all compete for the same limited water supply, often resulting in conflict and unequal access. In many cases, wealthier neighborhoods may have better access to water, while poorer areas suffer from scarcity and inadequate supply.

Urbanization exacerbates the impact of climate change on water resources. Changes in rainfall patterns, more frequent and severe droughts and rising temperatures contribute to water stress. Urban areas, with their high demand and dense populations, are particularly vulnerable to these changes, making the challenge of ensuring an adequate water supply even more difficult.

Solving the drinking water problem caused by urbanization requires a multi-pronged approach. Cities should invest in modern and efficient water supply infrastructure, including developing sustainable water sources and advanced purification systems. Implementation of effective water management policies that promote conservation and equitable distribution is essential. Additionally, efforts to reduce pollution and protect natural water sources are critical to maintaining a safe and reliable water supply.

Finally, while urbanization offers opportunities for economic growth and development, it also poses significant challenges to the availability and quality of drinking water. By taking proactive measures and prioritizing sustainable water management, cities can work to ensure all residents have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Urban environmental problems

Solid waste management

Due to high population concentration and high consumption of resources, a large amount of material accumulates daily in developing countries. For example, it is reported that 1000 tons of garbage is collected in the city of Quito in Ecuador, 2500 tons each in the cities of Calcutta and Bogota, and 8500 tons in Karachi. Due to the accumulation of such a large amount of garbage daily, it can be seen in these cities that it is not properly disposed of, which is a serious problem. In many cities, it has become common to pile garbage near the empty lands on the sides of the roads. But due to the strong stench emitted, there is a lot of environmental pollution and there is a high risk of epidemics like dengue malaria, cholera, and yellow fever.

Informal disposal of solid waste as well as liquid waste and e-waste is another major problem in cities. At the global level, 1500 cubic km of oral liquid waste is produced and 90% of it is released from the urban areas where we have a large population. (UNEP & UN - Habitat - Sick Water Report, 2010) Due to the lack of formal water treatment methods in these cities, liquid waste has become a major urban problem.

E-waste can be identified as a type of waste that has grown rapidly with the development of modern technology. Discarded or defunct or old model or electronic equipment and parts can be considered as e-waste telephones, televisions, computers, and their parts CD printers are the main of these E-waste burning releases harmful gases which are dangerous like cancer This type of e-waste has also caused disease in developed and developing countries. The transportation and release have caused many traffic problems related to those countries. 70% of e-waste in India is imported from other countries. (The Human & Environmental Effects of E-waste, 2016)

Hygiene issues

Sanitation problems can be recognized as another major health problem in developing countries, especially in urban areas with fewer facilities. The lack of formal toilets and urinal facilities can be primarily identified. In many developing countries, slums and slum dwellers do not have adequate toilet facilities, which refers to the use of public toilets. However due to the lack of adequate public latrines, many slum dwellers build shallow pit latrines in swampy areas near the slums, but due to lack of a proper plumbing system, material management is not done. During heavy rains, floods occur and the waste gets mixed with our water and spreads around the surrounding environment. Due to the impure environment, there is a constant risk of suffering from various diseases and there is a high risk for diseases such as eye diseases, colds, leaf rash, and diarrhea.

Urbanization usually represents serious sanitation problems – when rapid population growth outpaces cities' infrastructure and service provision. In cities, especially developing ones, access to sewage systems, waste disposal, and even clean water is generally lacking, and when it is found, poor sanitation often occurs.

Slums like Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya lack toilets and open defecation leads to contaminated water sources and the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Similarly, in Mumbai, India, health risks associated with sanitation problems are high as ancient sewage systems are unable to manage the population, resulting in recurrent leakages as well as floods during monsoons.

Improper waste disposal is another important issue. For example, in cities like Jakarta, Indonesia, uncollected waste clogs waterways, causing both sanitation problems and urban flooding.

Addressing these challenges requires investment in modern sanitation infrastructure, community-led waste management programs, and public awareness campaigns on sanitation practices. Without these efforts, poor sanitation will threaten public health and urban sustainability.

Environmental pollution

Large-scale factories are also located near large urban settlements in developing countries. Water pollution and air pollution are high in the areas where these factories are concentrated. Sewage from around 150 factories collects in the Black River, which flows through two of Mumbai's industrial suburbs. Chemicals such as metal, lead, mercury, and cadmium are constantly mixed with water. These enter the human body again through animal food and animal products. In addition, a similar situation can be identified along the rivers in Brazil, Indonesia and China. In addition to factory waste, garbage is thrown from the shacks located on both sides of the river. Another aspect of water pollution is the enrichment of river water due to such conditions. For example, the Ganga water is a large amount of waste collected from the factories and houses of the 114 municipalities located on the banks of the Ganges river. In addition, the Congo River in Africa, the Minko and Yanzikian rivers in China, and the Hindu and Kaveri rivers in India have also experienced such a situation.

Due to the garbage collected in the city, air pollution can also be seen in those areas, especially the release of gases such as methane and ammonia has contributed to this. About % of solid waste is not removed and informal waste disposal directly affects air pollution.

In addition, due to the harmful gases emitted by factories in urban areas, the amount of harmful gases has increased rapidly in these areas. Due to this situation, the problems caused by the decrease in atmospheric oxygen levels can be identified in the vicinity of Shanghai and Beijing in China. And it has hindered the daily activities of the city dwellers

Considering this, it can be recognized that various economic, social, political and environmental problems have arisen in the developing countries with urbanization. Due to this, the entire urbanization community has to face various challenges. The developing countries are focused on managing such adverse conditions. It is important to solve the problem by doing this. By doing so, a favorable atmosphere for the urban people will be created in the cities and the whole people will get its benefits.