Effects of Urbanization on the Society (Essay Sample)

Effects of Urbanization on the Society Name Institution Effects of Urbanization on the Society Urbanization refers to the shift or movement of people from the rural areas to the urban areas which increase the concentration of the population in mostly towns and cities. In the recent past, most studies have warned about the trend towards urbanization has becoming a worldwide trend. Amongst the various possible causes to the increase in urbanization has been the urban pull factor driven by desire for higher wages, better utilities and housing, schools and enhanced accessibility to healthcare facilities (Knox, 2009, p. 118). Another cause is the urban push factor that mainly has to do with farming in the rural areas. However, the various literature reviews have proved that urbanization has both positive and negative effects on the society in general. This essay will discuss the effects of urbanization in the society. Urbanization provides a wide variety of economic opportunities to the people who would have alternatively resigned to their fate on subsistence living due to lose of hope in any economic improvement in the rural setup. Urbanization provides viable opportunities through the growth in commercial opportunities which results to jobs and profits in the long run. Consequently, the growth in the economy results to the society benefiting through internal improvements. This is manifested mainly through heightened competition in both the private and public sector or through the revenues inform of taxes from the wealthy(Knox, 2009, p. 116). Another benefit that can be associated with urbanization is social and cultural integration amongst people from various diverse backgrounds. The tight grouping brought about as a result of urbanization enables cultural interchanging and assimilation which brings about understanding, peace and unity amongst the various communities, cultures, tribes and gender. This cannot be achieved in a rural set up as it is limited by the scattered population. Amongst the various adverse effects that have been associated with urbanization is the heightened competition for the limited available resources. Urbanization has resulted into construction of more houses leading to overcrowding and emergence of slums in the urban centers(John, 2010). Slums are characterized with very limited facilities leading to adverse poverty, high crime rates as a result of unemployment and poor sanitation. In addition to this, the strain experienced on basic natural resources including water supply results to general economic sustainability and environmental problems. A study on the psychological effects of urbanization postulates that mo...