Urbanization

            An urban settlement differs from a rural one in a number of ways. Not only are the urban settlements bigger they usually indicate a higher standard of living. The difference is also in the nature of economic activities. In a rural settlement, most of the population is engaged in agriculture or allied activities i.e. in primary sector while in an urban centre most of the population is engaged in activities like manufacturing and services i.e. in secondary and tertiary sector. Different countries have adopted different criteria to distinguish between rural and urban centres. Census of India, 2011 defines an urban unit as one having a Municipality, Municipal Corporation or a Cantonment Board; or all other places having a population of at least 5000, 75% of the main male workers being engaged in non agricultural pursuits and a population density of at least 400 per sq. km.

            Urbanization is the movement of people from rural to urban areas resulting in a concentration of population in urban areas or cities. In economic terms, it is also the movement of people from agriculture based communities to other communities which are generally larger and taking up diverse economic activities like Government related activities, trade, manufacturing and allied activities. Urbanization is a multi dimensional process. The changes are not only geographical but involve economic and social dimensions. This further result in changes in the migrant’s believes attitudes and behaviour patterns.

Urbanization in India

            Urbanization in India has a fairly long history dating back to the periods of Indus Valley Civilizaion. Urban centres grew up in various periods of history including the medieval period. During the British period urbanization was primarily for governmental requirements and for facilitating trade outside India. However, these centres were limited and most of the population resided in villages. As per 1901 census only 10.86% of the population lived in cities. As per 1951 census, the figure was 17.29% while in the year 2001, 27.81% of the population lived in urban areas. Census of 2011 puts the percentage of urban population as 31.16%. These figures indicate that the pace of urbanization has increased after independence. While in first half of the last century, the increase in urban population was only 6.43%, the corresponding figure for the second half of the century was about 10.52%. The speed has been even faster in this century as an increase of 3.35% has been registered in a single decade. In this decade, for the first time since Independence, the absolute increase in population is more in urban areas that in rural areas. The growth rate of population in rural areas as compared to 2001 census has decreased from 18.1% to 12.2% (a decrease of 5.9%) while in the urban areas the growth rate of population has increased from 31.5% to 31.8% (an increase of .3%). Although, some of this increase could be due to more settlements being categorized as urban, nonetheless, these figures quite clearly indicate the rapid pace of urbanization in India.

Causes of urbanization

            Urbanization involves movement of people from rural to urban areas. This can be of two types. First type is due to the ‘pull’ factor in which the people are attracted towards the city for a better quality of life. Second type is the ‘push’ factor in which the people move from villages to cities to avoid the poor quality of life in villages. Though, migration from the village to cities is usually a combination of both these types in varying proportions, the ‘push’ factor has been dominant in the Indian context.

            During the 20^th century and particularly in the decades after independence the country witnessed a sharp increase in population. Population of India which was about 23.86 crores in 1901 increased to about 36.11 crores in 1951; 84.64 crores in 1991; 102.87 crores in 2001 and 121.02 crores in 2011. Thus progressive growth rate over 1901 population was 51.47% in 1951; 255.05% in 1991; 331.52% in 2001 and 407.64% in 2011. As most of the population was and still is dependent upon agriculture, this created pressure on land. The increase in population decreased the size of average agricultural land holdings and a large number of them were reduced to such a level that these could not support a family. This forced the farmer to look for other employment opportunities. Indian rural population has also a sizeable number of non-farmers. These included village artisans, landless labourers and other workers who also started looking outside for better employment opportunities. However, these opportunities were not available in sufficient numbers in villages or nearby towns. In such a case, the beleaguered rural population had no option but to migrate to some industrial centre in search of employment.   

            Caste system is also one of the reasons for this migration. Members of the lower caste, apart from being economically deprived section in rural India are also socially harassed lot. People from this community did not have any incentive to live in villages. Urban centres gave them independence at least from the social degradation they suffered in their villages. Hence, these people moved out to the urban centres at the first available opportunity. This kind of migration due to ‘push’ factor is driven by non availability of opportunities in rural areas, possibility of getting a job in urban areas and possibilities of a better quality of life. As cities offer more possibility of getting a job in comparison to the smaller towns, such migrants avoid small towns and come straight to cities.

Some migration has also taken place due to the ‘pull’ factor. In earlier days, land was source of wealth and status. However, since the beginning of the last century and particularly after independence, there has been substantial growth in trade and industry. These activities are usually carried out in urban areas. Consequently, many members of the landed gentry shifted their economic activities to these more profitable areas and shifted to cities. Some people also migrated due to availability of better infrastructure in cities. These included those people who were well off in villages but wanted a better quality of life and better education for their children.

Impact of urbanization

            Urbanization is usually seen as an indicator of development as it indicates that more and more people are engaged in secondary or tertiary economic activities. Unfortunately, urbanization in India has been unsystematic and lopsided. Industrialization has not been evenly spread throughout the country resulting in a few industrialized pockets. Obviously these have large requirements of workers and hence attract sizeable number of migrants from other unindustrialized areas. This coupled with the push factor from the villages resulted in an exodus from the villages. As no systematic effort was made to develop industries in smaller towns which could provide employment to these people, this group landed in cities which were not geared up to provide even basic facilities to these people. First requirement of these migrants was accommodation and when the city could not meet their demands, slums came up in cities, in which people lived in extremely pathetic conditions.

As per draft mission document of National Urban Livelihood Mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, population residing in urban slums has been estimated at about 93 million. As per data provided by Census, 2011, 3% of the urban population does not have an exclusive room for living, while 32% live in one room house.  About 29.4% of the urban population does not have access to tap water and 18.6% do not have latrine facility within the house. 7.3% of urban population still does not have access to electricity. This aspect of urbanization can hardly be accepted and brings with itself a host of economic, social and environmental problems. 

The migration which takes place due to ‘pull’ factor mainly comprises of people who though well off in villages, visualize better infrastructure and facilities in cities and move there for a better quality of life. This kind of migration does not have any adverse impact on cities but this drains the village of the skilled and educated population. 

The impact of urbanization has also been social. Cities comprise of population from different regions having different cultural backgrounds. The migrants and the original inhabitants are mutually affected by the culture and way of life of each other. People become more open, tolerant and broad minded in their views resulting in the development of a cosmopolitan culture. Though tensions sometimes do arise between various groups but tolerance and mutual interdependence soon brings the life to normal.

Solutions

            Development of infrastructure in cities is one aspect of the solution. However, administration of the cities has been entrusted to municipalities, which do not have the expertise or the resources to deal with the rapidly changing scenario. There is hardly any stress on long term planning. Their financial powers are also limited as the sources on which they can levy tax are very limited. This will have to be looked into by the Government because if the cities are to improve, their local governments will have to rise to the occasion.

However, even if this is achieved, it will not be of much use unless the conditions which ‘push’ people to migrate to cities continue to exist. Therefore apart from developing infrastructure in cities it is also important that alternative employment is generated in the villages itself. This could be done by developing agriculture based small scale industries. Further, industries making use of local resources and expertise should be developed in small towns. This would help these towns to absorb those people who could not gain employment in villages. This would ensure a more even development as well as a better quality of life in both rural and urban areas.