Chapter 15: Urbanization

Demands of a Growing Population The collapse of Interstate 35W could be blamed on the government’s failure to provide adequate funding for repair and maintenance of bridges. But another factor is the increasing demands a growing population places on our nation’s infrastructure, especially in urban areas. 2

Population Trends The total number of people on this planet is rising and is expected to continue to increase over the coming decades. About 40% of the world’s population lives in countries in which couples have so few children that the countries’ populations are likely to decline over the coming years.

Urbanization Another aspect of development is the increasing size and importance of cities. Urban dominance in the developed world became apparent in the first half of the 20th century. The second half of this century has seen tremendous growth in the cities of the developing world. Humanity has become a largely urban species and the trend strengthens with every passing year.

Urbanization Transformation of a society from a rural to an urban one. Urban population - Persons living in cities or towns of 2,500 or more residents. Urbanized area - One or more places and the adjacent densely populated surrounding area that together have a minimum population of 50,000. Mega-cities - Cities with 10 million residents or more.

Urbanization II Tokyo 28.7 million London 6.4 million World’s largest cities in 1900: World’s largest cities in 2015 Tokyo 28.7 million London 6.4 million New York 4.2 million Mumbai 27.4 million Paris 3.3 million Lagos 24.4 million Berlin 2.4 million Shanghai 23.4 million Chicago 1.7 million Jakarta 21.2 million

Urbanization III By 2005 it is predicted that, for the first time, a majority of people will live in cities. City Growth in Billions

Suburbanization As more and more people moved to the suburbs, urban areas surrounding central cities, the United States underwent suburbanization. As city residents left the city to live in the suburbs, cities experienced deconcentration, the redistribution of the population from cities to suburbs and surrounding areas.

Urbanization IV Urban growth rates are much faster than population growth rates as a whole. In developing countries the overall rate is 1.9%, but the urban growth rate for cities is around 3.5%. The World Resources Institute estimates that for every 1% increase in national population brings a 1.7% growth in urban population.

Structural-Functionalist Perspective Focuses on how changes in one aspect of the social system affect other aspects of society. The demographic transition theory of population describes how industrialization has affected population growth.

Structural-Functionalist Perspective The development of urban areas is functional for societal development. Urbanization is also dysfunctional, because it leads to increased rates of anomie as the bonds between individuals and social groups become weak.

Conflict Perspective Emphasizes the role of power, wealth and profit motive in development of urban areas. Capitalism contributes to migration of rural inhabitants to cities. Individuals and groups with wealth and power influence decisions that affect urban populations.

Demographic Transition Theory 13

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Focuses on how meanings, labels, and definitions affect population and environmental problems. Women in pronatalistic societies learn that control of fertility is socially unacceptable. Efforts to redefine cities in positive terms are reflected in campaigns sponsored by convention and visitors bureaus. Distinctive cultures and lifestyles of cities influence their residents’ self-concepts, values and behaviors.

Percentage of Population in Urban Areas, by Year

Urbanization V In the developing world city growth places tremendous pressure on urban infrastructure. Water and air quality are stressed. Open spaces are encroached upon. High rates of unemployment, homelessness and crime are an understandable outcome.

Environmental Problems and Resource Scarcity Countries that suffer most from shortages of water, farmland, and food are countries with the highest population growth rates. About 1/3 of the developing world’s population live in countries with severe water stress.

Environmental Problems and Resource Scarcity The impact that each person makes on the environment, their environmental footprint, is determined by their culture’s patterns of consumption. The environmental footprint of someone in a high-income country is about 6 times bigger than that of someone in a low-income country.

Ecological footprint

Urban Housing Problems Slums are concentrated areas of poor housing and squalor in heavily populated urban areas. In the U.S., slums that are occupied primarily by African Americans are known as ghettos, and those occupied primarily by Latinos are called barrios. Nearly one in three city dwellers worldwide live in slums characterized by overcrowding, little employment, and poor water, sanitation, and health care services.

Global Insecurity Rapid population growth is a contributing factor to global insecurity, including civil unrest, war, and terrorism. Developing countries are characterized by a youth bulge—a high proportion of 15- to 29-year-olds relative to the adult population. The combination of a youth bulge with other characteristics of rapidly growing populations, such as resource scarcity, high unemployment rates, poverty, and rapid urbanization, sets the stage for political unrest.

Transportation and Traffic Problems A study of 85 U.S. urban areas found that in 2003 traffic congestion caused 3.7 billion hours of traffic delay and wasted 2.3 billion gallons of fuel. The average annual delay per traveler increased from 16 hours in 1982 to 40 hours in 1993 and 47 hours in 2003. Many public roads in urban areas are afflicted with what some call autosclerosis clogged vehicular arteries that slow rush hour traffic to a crawl or a stop, even when there are no accidents or construction crews ahead.

Strategies for Reducing Urban Growth in Developing Countries Promoting agricultural development in rural areas. Providing incentives to industries and businesses to relocate from urban to rural areas.

Strategies for Reducing Urban Growth in Developing Countries Providing incentives to encourage new businesses in rural areas. Developing the infrastructure of rural areas, including transportation systems, clean water supplies, sanitary waste disposal systems, and social services.

Annual Expenditures on Luxury Items Product Annual Expenditure Makeup $18 billion Pet food in Europe and the United States $17 billion Perfume $15 billion Ocean cruises $14 billion Ice cream in Europe $11 billion

Funding Needed For Basic Needs Social or Economic Goal Additional Annual Investment Needed to Achieve Goal Reproductive health care for all women $12 billion Elimination of hunger and malnutrition $19 billion Universal literacy $5 billion Clean drinking water for all $10 billion Immunizing every child $1.3 billion