Environmental Benefits and Challenges of Urbanization Name Date Class

Urbanization Definition: rapid growth of, and migration to, cities. 50% of world’s population lives in cities Cities generate 2/3 of world’s economic wealth Cities account for 80% of GDP growth during past decade 1.1 billion city dwellers live in areas that have poor air quality 420 million people in cities do not have adequate sanitation 220 million people in cities do not have safe drinking water Urbanization is the rapid growth of and the migration to cities. Currently about 50% of the world’s population resides in cities compared to 10% about 100 years ago. While urbanization provides many benefits in terms of economic development and opportunities, there are also challenges that must be overcome. Cities provide about two-thirds of the world’s economic wealth and account for 80% of the GDP growth during the past decade. There are about 1.1 billion city dwellers that live in areas with poor air quality, 420 million people in cities who do not have adequate sanitation, and 220 million people in cities who do not have safe drinking water. These economic benefits are offset by the environmental problems (Gutberlet and Leitmann, 2003).

Benefits Economic development Creation of jobs Redefines lifestyles, employment, and welfare % of Population with access to safe drinking water increases with urbanization % of population with access to adequate sanitation increases with urbanization Urbanization provides benefits such as economic development as noted on the previous slide. It provides job opportunities and can redefine lifestyles, employment, and welfare for the people living in the cities. Though there is an increase in pollution and other environmental concerns, urbanization actually increases the percentage of the world’s population who have access to adequate sanitation and safe drinking water (Gutberlet and Leitmann, 2003).

Challenges Loss of productive land to urban development Overcrowding Urban poverty Pollution Unemployment and lack of adequate housing Availability of resources There are several environmental challenges to urbanization. One of the main features of urbanization is a transition of lifestyle from rural agricultural to industrial. With this transition, there is a loss of productive land to the urban development. As more people move into the cities, there is the increased possibility of overcrowding. If more people are moving to the cities and the number of jobs is not increasing at the same rate, urban poverty, unemployment, and a lack of adequate housing can result (Gutberlet and Leitmann, 2003). The increase in the number of people in urban areas means that there is an increase in the amount of waste generated. This can be in the form of air pollution from an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, increased run-off from impervious surfaces, increase in solid waste that must be transferred to some sort of landfill or disposal site, and an increase in the amount of wastewater that must be treated and disposed of (UNEP, n.d.). Other challenges related to urbanization include the availability of resources. With an increase in population, the demand on resources such as housing, food, and water increase as well. In an effort to provide basic resources to the people, some resources may be less than adequate and may come at a higher price.

Strategies Allow central governments to empower local governments to make necessary changes and improvements Develop growth and planning strategies using best management practices Political leadership and commitment Adequate investments in infrastructure, education, and culture There are several strategies that can be used to help mitigate for the challenges related to urbanization. One of the most important aspects is the decentralization of decision making. When a central government defers the power to the local governments (city governments) to make decisions regarding infrastructure, growth, and planning, the results tend to be more favorable. While planning for future growth, cities should use strategies that incorporate best management practices in terms of dealing with resource issues and environmental concerns. Unfortunately, in many cases, the problems are already growing by the time that the challenges are addressed. In terms of mitigation, there is a need for political leadership and commitment as well as adequate investment in infrastructure, education, and culture.

Women’s Self-Help Organization for Poverty Alleviation in India Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank established as a separate bank for poor self-employed women workers Catalyst for change in laws and practices Poverty alleviation Empowers women to: Negotiate for higher wages Provide security for themselves and their families Own land and assets Upgrade skills and develop more business Become responsible for infrastructure improvements The Dubai awards are meant to showcase urbanization and development plans for the lower income regions of the world. The two projects that are highlighted in this presentation represent successful attempts to overcome the challenges of urbanization and to build upon the benefits that are available with the urban setting. The Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank in India was established as a separate bank for poor, self-employed women workers. As it grew, it became the catalyst for changes in laws and practices. It allowed women to save the money they had earned, obtain loans, establish credit and grow their investments and businesses. The main goal of this program was to alleviate poverty. Other benefits of the program included empowering women to accomplish many new things. This may include negotiating for higher wages, upgrading their skills and developing their businesses, and owning land and assets. Also, women took interest in and were pivotal to the improvements to infrastructure projects that provided water supply to their areas. This all worked together to provide security for the women and their families and their communities (UNESCO, n.d.).

Bronx Center Project $2 billion comprehensive revitalization of 300 block section of South Bronx “Bottom-up” approach to community revitalization Addresses economic development, health and human services, education and culture, housing and transportation Renewal of physical infrastructure provides basis for the development and delivery of services and opportunities On-going community participation The Bronx Center Project in New York is an enormous project with a budget of $2 billion to be spent over five years. This is a comprehensive revitalization project that encompassed a 300 block section of the South Bronx. The goals of the project were to restore architecturally significant buildings, construct new residences, provide community based health and human services facilities, rehab existing and develop new educational and cultural institutions, create new open space and recreational opportunities, and to improve transportation. The idea behind the project is a ‘bottom-up’ approach. By renewing the physical infrastructure, there will be more development and delivery of services and opportunities. The better the infrastructure, education, etc, then there is a chance for betterment in the general lives of the people who live there. One of the key elements has been the on-going community participation. By making the community part of the project, they feel more connected with the improvements and changes that are happening and feel more responsibility and accountability for their environment (UNESCO, n.d.).

Conclusion While urbanization provides many opportunities for people in terms of employment, education, and culture, there are challenges that must be overcome. Without proper planning for urban growth and development, negative impacts to habitat, water quality, and biodiversity can occur. Projects such as those highlighted in this presentation demonstrate how with proper funding, support, cooperation, and planning, challenges can be overcome and opportunities realized.

References Gutberlet, J. and Leitmann, J. (2003). Urbanization. Aviso. Issue No. 11, April 2003. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from http://www.gechs.org/aviso/11/ UNEP, (n.d.). Urban Issues. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/issues/Urban.asp UNESCO, (n.d.). A Women’s Self-Help Organization for Poverty Alleviation in India: SEWA India. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from http://www.unesco.org/most/asia1.htm UNESCO, (n.d.). The Bronx Center Project. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from http://www.unesco.org/most/usa1.htm