Question

Urbanization is inevitable when it comes to the economic development of any region. Discuss the necessary steps needed to alleviate the socio-economic problems arising out of the process of urbanization.

Answer 1

Over 34% of India’s current population lives in urban areas, rising by 3% since 2011. By some estimates, India’s urban population could increase to 814 million by 2050. And yet, cities look and feel downtrodden, riven with poverty and poor infrastructure, with little semblance of urban planning. While urbanisation has been a mechanism of economic, social and political progress, it can pose serious socio-economic problems. When evaluating urbanization process in Indian perspective, it is observed that major problems of urbanisation in this nation are Urban Sprawl, Overcrowding, Housing, Unemployment, Slums and Squatter Settlements, Transport, Water, Sewerage Problems, Trash Disposal, Urban Crimes, and the Problem of Urban Pollution.

Socio-economic problems due to Urbanization:

1. Overcrowding: Overcrowding is a consistent result of overpopulation in urban areas.
2. Housing : Overcrowding leads to a constant problem of scarcity of houses in urban areas.
3. Unemployment: Urban unemployment in India is estimated at 15 to 25 per cent of the labour force. This percentage is even higher among the educated people.Urban unemployment in India is estimated at 15 to 25 percent of the labour force.
4. Transport: Urbanization poses major challenge to transport system. With traffic blockage, almost all cities and towns of India are suffering from severe form of transport problem.
5. Water: Supply of water started falling short of demand as the cities grew in size and number.
6. Sewage Problems: Urban centres in India are almost constantly beset with inadequate sewage facilities.
7. Trash Disposal: Urbanization pushed Indian cities to grow in number and size and as a result people have to face the problem of trash disposal which is in alarming stage.
8. Urban Pollution:Rising urbanisation in present situation led to develop industries and transport systems out of proportion. These developments are mainly responsible for contamination of the environment, particularly the urban surroundings.

Clean drinking water, unpolluted air, quality of public transport, traffic management and parking, integrated planning of transport and land use, law and order, management and safe disposal of solid waste that is generated, treatment of wastewater and effluents, and affordable housing.

Steps needed to alleviate the socio- economic problems:

1. Make the economy of village and small scale fully viable: Huge rural development program should be implemented in rural area. It will help in absorbing the surplus manpower in village and stopping the migration to urban areas.
2. Use of Public Transport : It will help in controlling traffic congestion in urban region and pollution level in the cities.
3. Basic infrastructure facility: The infrastructure in the slums has to be upgraded and basic housing, drinking water and sanitation has to be multiplied to match the demand of inbound migration to the cities.
4. Skill development: Effective skill development policies have to be formulated to increase the employment opportunities for the urban youths.
5. Law and Order: Policing in the cities has to be strengthened to handle the rising crime rates particularly cybercrimes and women safety. The above measures will have significant change in the socio-economic conditions of the urban spaces in India.