Urbanisation- Problems and Remedies
Urbanisation refers to the process of population shift from rural areas to towns and cities. It happens when people migrate in search of better jobs, education, healthcare, and lifestyle.
India is urbanising rapidly. As per the 2011 Census, about 31.1% of India’s population lived in urban areas. By 2023, this figure is estimated to have crossed 36%, and it is projected that by 2050, more than 50% of Indians will live in cities (UN Report).
Urbanisation has both positive and negative aspects. While cities become engines of growth and provide opportunities, unplanned urbanisation also leads to major problems such as overcrowding, slums, pollution, and inequality.
1. Nature of Urbanisation in India
- Historical Context: Colonial cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai developed as trade and administrative centres.
- Post-independence: Rapid industrialisation and service sector growth led to migration towards cities.
- Current Scenario: IT hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram are magnets for youth migration.
Remark: Urbanisation in India is often “unplanned” and “haphazard”, unlike Western countries where it followed industrial planning.
2. Trends and Data on Urbanisation
| Year | % Urban Population | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 17.3% | Low due to agrarian economy |
| 1991 | 25.7% | Growth with liberalisation |
| 2011 | 31.1% | Rapid rise, more metros |
| 2023 (est.) | ~36% | Ongoing migration |
| 2050 (projected) | ~50% | Half of India will be urban |
3. Causes of Urbanisation in India
- Push Factors (from rural areas):
- Poverty, unemployment, lack of education and healthcare in villages.
- Decline of agriculture due to small landholdings.
- Pull Factors (towards cities):
- Better job opportunities in industry and services.
- Access to modern education and healthcare.
- Improved lifestyle and infrastructure.
- Natural Increase of Population:
- Cities have higher fertility and lower mortality due to better medical facilities.
- Policy Factors:
- Development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial corridors, IT parks.
4. Problems of Urbanisation
Urbanisation has created several socio-economic and environmental challenges:
(a) Overcrowding and Pressure on Housing
- Cities attract huge populations leading to congestion.
- Housing demand is far higher than supply.
- Result: slums and informal settlements.
Example: Dharavi in Mumbai houses over 8 lakh people in just 2.1 sq. km.
(b) Growth of Slums
- Nearly 65 million people in India lived in slums (Census 2011).
- Poor sanitation, lack of water, and health hazards.
Remark: Slums represent the “dark side” of urbanisation.
(c) Unemployment and Informal Jobs
- Cities cannot provide enough formal jobs.
- Many people work in informal sector (street vendors, daily wage labourers) without job security.
(d) Urban Poverty
- Though cities offer opportunities, they also host urban poor who live in slums without basic facilities.
- Poverty is not only rural but increasingly urban.
(e) Traffic Congestion and Pollution
- More vehicles → traffic jams, air pollution, noise pollution.
- India’s urban transport is inadequate.
Example: Delhi suffers from severe air pollution due to vehicles and population density.
(f) Waste Management Crisis
- Indian cities generate ~62 million tonnes of solid waste annually (CPCB 2022).
- Most cities lack proper segregation and recycling.
(g) Pressure on Basic Services
- Water shortage, electricity cuts, poor healthcare facilities.
- Rapid population growth in cities outpaces infrastructure.
(h) Crime and Social Problems
- Rising inequality leads to crime, drug abuse, and social tension.
- Example: Increasing crimes against women in metros.
(i) Environmental Degradation
- Urbanisation leads to deforestation, shrinking green cover, flooding due to encroachment on wetlands.
- Example: Chennai floods (2015) worsened by unplanned urban expansion.
5. Social Issues of Urbanisation
- Migration: Leads to cultural diversity but also friction between locals and migrants.
- Gender Issues: Women face safety challenges in cities.
- Health: High population density increases risk of epidemics.
- Inequality: Rich-poor divide is more visible in cities.
6. Positive Aspects of Urbanisation
Urbanisation is not only negative. It also drives growth:
| Positive Aspect | Example |
|---|---|
| Better job opportunities | IT sector in Bengaluru |
| Access to education and healthcare | AIIMS, IITs located in cities |
| Innovation and technology | Start-up ecosystem in Hyderabad, Pune |
| Economic growth hubs | Mumbai contributes ~6% to India’s GDP |
| Social mobility | Rural migrants improve standard of living |
Note: The challenge is to make urbanisation planned and sustainable.
7. Remedies for Urbanisation Problems
(a) Planned Urban Development
- Implement Master Plans for cities.
- Develop satellite towns to reduce pressure on metros.
(b) Affordable Housing
- Expand Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
- Promote rental housing for migrants.
(c) Slum Upgradation
- Provide basic services in slums: toilets, clean water, electricity.
- In-situ redevelopment (redevelopment without displacement).
(d) Employment Generation
- Develop industries in small towns to prevent over-migration to big cities.
- Promote Skill India Mission to prepare urban youth for jobs.
(e) Smart Urban Transport
- Improve metro networks, bus rapid transit (BRT), electric vehicles.
- Encourage cycling and walking tracks.
(f) Waste and Water Management
- Implement Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban.
- Promote waste segregation, recycling, and rainwater harvesting.
(g) Strengthening Urban Governance
- Empower Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under the 74th Constitutional Amendment.
- Use technology for e-governance and digital service delivery.
(h) Sustainable Cities
- Follow UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 11): Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- Expand green cover, reduce pollution, renewable energy.
8. Case Studies
(i) Indore – Cleanest City of India
- Achieved top rank in Swachh Survekshan due to effective waste management.
(ii) Delhi Metro
- Reduced traffic congestion and pollution, a successful example of modern public transport.
(iii) Smart City Mission
- Cities like Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Ahmedabad implementing smart solutions (IT-based governance, smart transport, green energy).
9. Role of People, NGOs, and Civil Society
- Public participation in waste segregation, cleanliness drives.
- NGOs working for slum development and women safety.
- RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) play a role in local governance.
10. Way Forward
- Balanced Urban-Rural Development: Create jobs in villages to reduce migration pressure.
- Inclusive Urbanisation: Focus on poor, migrants, and women.
- Public Transport Revolution: Affordable, eco-friendly mobility.
- Sustainable Cities: Smart planning, green technology.
- Decentralisation: Empower local governments for better service delivery.
- Community Participation: Citizens must act as partners in urban governance.
Conclusion
Urbanisation in India is unavoidable and necessary for economic growth. However, unplanned urbanisation leads to slums, pollution, unemployment, and inequality. The challenge is to ensure that cities become centres of opportunity, inclusiveness, and sustainability rather than centres of poverty and chaos.
Key Message:
Urbanisation must be turned from a problem into an opportunity through planned policies, good governance, and active participation of people. Only then can Indian cities truly become engines of growth and symbols of modern development.
