Urbanization has rapidly increased, with the global urban population rising from 746 million in 1950 to 4 billion in 2016, projected to reach 7.5 billion by 2050, primarily in Southeast Asia and Africa. Historical contexts of urban development span from ancient civilizations to the industrial revolution, leading to significant migration and the burgeoning of megacities. However, this growth brings challenges such as overcrowding, slum development, and social segregation, exacerbating strains on urban infrastructure and job markets.

1. Urbanization - Introduction
• Planned and sustainable urban growth has been a matter of
concern for planners, researcher demographers and
environmentalists.
• The environmental approach to urban studies is to discuss the
problems and solutions to the environmental problems
associated with urban growth.
• The urban population is growing across the world.
• The urban population has increased from 746 million (1950) to
4000 million (2016) and projected urban population is 7500
million by the year 2050.
• Maximum growth of urban population is observed in south
east Asia and Africa.
• Over half of the world population today live in cities which is
expected to increase up to 60% by 2030.

2. Urbanization: Historical background
• Ancient cities (5000 to 2000B.C.) – centers of ancient
civilizations. Mesopotemia, Egypt, Indus valley of India
(before partition), Roman Empire.
• Cities in Medieval period: inventions such as wheel, use of
animals for farming, development of pottery, improved
transport and trade. Cities: London, Paris, Delhi and Rome
• Cities after Industrial Revolution: After industrial revolution in
1750s in England and Western Europe the modern phase of
urbanization started
• Period after 1945 (after World war II) – Many countries in the
Eastern world got independence. Their trading towns and
administrative centers started developing as important cities.
Huge number of people migrating to these cities resulted in
growth of megacities and suburbs.

3. Concept of urban
According to Census (2011) of India following criteria are used
for concept of urban settlement.
Places with municipal council or corporations
Minimum of 5000 population
75% or more working population engaged in non-agricultural
activities.
Population density more than 400 persons per sq.km.
Major populated cities in the world (2016):
Tokyo (1),
New York (2),
Delhi (3),
Shanghai (4),
Mumbai (5),
Bejing (7),

4. Problems associated with migration in urban areas
• Overcrowding leads to stress on physical infrastructure
• Uncontrolled growth of slums is caused by unregulated migration
to cities.
• This is mainly due to unaffordable housing in core cities.
• Age selective migration to cities changes composition of urban
population.
• Overcrowding leads to faster spread of communicable diseases.
• Limited job opportunities , stiff competition among labors
• social segregation in urban society.
• Pressure on social and physical infrastructure
• Competition in the labour market
• Imbalance in gender composition
• Creation of social vacuum
• Creation of psychological vacuum
• Cultural disharmony

5. Thank You