Hazards of Urbanization and the Way Forward

Author: Sara Rafique – CSS 2022

Outline

1. Introduction

Urbanization brings with it a myriad of hazards; however, fortunately, there are ways too that
can help counter these hazards.

2. Factors that led to urbanization

a. Push factors- factors that push people towards urban areas

– Lack of basic facilities
– Poverty and unemployment

b. Pull factors- benefits that urban areas offer

– Better employment opportunities
– Better social services like education, and health

3. Hazards of urbanization

a. Urbanization magnifies the risk of environmental hazards:

– Environmental degradation
– In 2018, only 3% cities met the World Health organization’s air quality
guidelines.

b. Energy demand rising as more people migrate towards urban areas:

– The United Nations (UN) estimates that by 2025, more than half the population
of Pakistan will be living in urban areas.
– In 2014, cities accounted for 70% of worldwide energy consumption largely
powered by fossil fuels.

c. More traffic and congestion:

– More than 10,000 road accidents a year with almost 50% being fatal.
– In Bangkok, average downtown weekday traffic speed is 10 km / HR.

d. Increase in number of people without basic water and sanitation:

– In 2015, there were 667 million urban residents worldwide without basic
provision of sanitation.
– Approximately 34 million people in Pakistan live in informal urban settlements
where water is scarce.

e. The number of urban-poor is on the rise:

– Limited access to land, high cost of living
– In 2018, 40% of Pakistan’s residents were living in slums.

f. Massive surge in urban crimes:

– Findings of criminologists
– Pressures of urban living and social deprivation

4. The way forward:

a. Combating poverty by promotion of economic development and job creation in rural areas

b. Hiring professional town planners for building sustainable cities

– Can be taken from Helsinki – An environmental-friendly city of Finland.

c. Better provision of healthcare and educational facilities in rural areas.

d. Invest in Renewable Energy power generation

– Supply urban neighborhoods outside the grid

e. Invest in public transport and develop pedestrian zones

f. Dire need of educating the masses about population control

– Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world.

g. Governments should make sure that urban planning includes plantation of trees for
environmental purposes.

5. Conclusion