Negative Impacts of Urbanization

 Negative Impacts of Urbanization in India 

With the undergoing economic development, modernization and industrialization in India, there is a shift of population from rural areas to urban cities, leading to urbanization. Urbanization promises many opportunities for human development and progress with wealth and social mobility, good infrastructures, technological advancements, etc. 

However due to poor urban planning and unequal distribution of resources, there are some associated issues which needs to be addressed for sustainable and holistic development of urban areas. 

Negative Impacts

1. Slum Formation: Income inequality, lack of affordable housing facilities and lack of enough land space to accommodate urban population, are some of the reasons leading to slum formation which further leads to various socio economic and health problems. 

2. Unequal Distribution of Resources: The demand and supply mismatch of resources available in an urban setting leads to increase in prices of commodity and services available, which further widens inequality, increases malnourishment and the associated health and social issues like child stunting, diminished learning and mental ability, decreased work capacity, etc.

3. Poor Waste Management: Poor waste management makes urban areas a breeding ground for vector borne diseases, communicable diseases and other health issues. 

4. Environmental Pollution: Urban settings with the presence of industries, vehicles, poor waste management practices, landfills, deforestation, conversion of agriculture landscape and lakes into infrastructures, etc, leads to environmental pollution.

5. Unhealthy Urban Lifestyle: Urban lifestyle which is predominantly sedantary in nature, along with unhealthy dietary choices, smoking, etc result in health issues like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. 

Way Forward 

• Ensure better coverage and accessibility of social security and welfare schemes like PM POSHAN, Mission Indradhanush, Ration shops, etc in urban areas. 

• Better urban planning methods like GIFT City, Smart City, and Green city should be adopted for sustainable urban planning. 

• More focus should be given for development and creation of employment opportunities in rural areas through rural industrialization, infrastructure development, youth skill training programs, secondary agriculture activities, etc, so pressure on urban areas will decrease as people will not be compelled to migrate to urban cities for better living opportunities. 

The world is rapidly moving towards urbanization, however in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure better standard of living, steps need to be taken to ensure equitable distribution of resources and better accessibility of good quality public services.