Advantages of urbanization

The advantages focus on the benefits that urbanization brings to individuals.

Regarding the relationship with individuals, they cite that income tends to be higher in cities than in rural areas;[5]​ the quality of life is better because governments can efficiently apply large-scale programs in areas such as communications, transportation, drinking water, health and waste treatment.

Mention is also made of its positive consequences for the economy since the city attracts businesses and jobs, which in turn increases productivity; intra-industry trade is possible due to labor specialization; urban companies can learn from others in the same industry or from their suppliers; Being close to their customers allows them to better respond to changing demand; The proximity of companies to their clients and suppliers combined with cheap means of transportation reduces transaction costs; Cities incubate ideas and technologies that accelerate economic progress.[6]​.

Regarding the effects in relation to rural areas and zones: people who migrate to the city send remittances to families in rural areas; Due to less labor remaining in the countryside, salaries may increase there; The poverty rate tends to decrease in rural areas, although this occurs because the poor move to cities, increasing urban poverty.[5]​.

However, there is no evidence that they increase GDP per capita, although there is a positive but weak correlation.

Disadvantages of urbanization

Those who are against in turn cite the impact on the environment and quality of life: pollution in cities is greater due to traffic, vehicle congestion and poor waste collection; Cities often exceed the natural capacity to absorb waste, which is detrimental to health; Cities demand land, water and natural resources that are disproportionately high than the surface area they occupy due to high incomes and consumption and the large size of the population. The rapid occupation of land for construction has become one of the most important environmental problems since the second half of the century. Due to the migration from the countryside to large cities and the intense changes in use since the 1960s, the area dedicated to agriculture or natural vegetation is in marked decline.[7]​.

They also cite effects on poverty, since urbanization is linked to the increase in urban poverty; the great inequality in the cities; The poor live in overcrowded informal settlements and in poor conditions because housing costs are high and in addition in these places there are problems related to health, malnutrition, infant mortality, and primary schooling. Finally; Informal settlements are more vulnerable to disasters and pollution. Regarding the negative relationship with rural areas, large-scale emigration tends to cause long-term deterioration of physical and human infrastructure.[5]​.

Regarding social problems, it is mentioned that there is a lot of crime due to the large number of young people and fewer employment opportunities; Due to the strong concentration of citizens, a large number of conflicts are generated.

In a UN survey of government leaders, only 14% agreed with the rate of urbanization and the size of cities, while 83% initiated measures to slow them down and 3% initiated measures to accelerate the growth of their cities.

Advantages of urbanization

The advantages focus on the benefits that urbanization brings to individuals.

Regarding the relationship with individuals, they cite that income tends to be higher in cities than in rural areas;[5]​ the quality of life is better because governments can efficiently apply large-scale programs in areas such as communications, transportation, drinking water, health and waste treatment.

Mention is also made of its positive consequences for the economy since the city attracts businesses and jobs, which in turn increases productivity; intra-industry trade is possible due to labor specialization; urban companies can learn from others in the same industry or from their suppliers; Being close to their customers allows them to better respond to changing demand; The proximity of companies to their clients and suppliers combined with cheap means of transportation reduces transaction costs; Cities incubate ideas and technologies that accelerate economic progress.[6]​.

Regarding the effects in relation to rural areas and zones: people who migrate to the city send remittances to families in rural areas; Due to less labor remaining in the countryside, salaries may increase there; The poverty rate tends to decrease in rural areas, although this occurs because the poor move to cities, increasing urban poverty.[5]​.

However, there is no evidence that they increase GDP per capita, although there is a positive but weak correlation.

Disadvantages of urbanization

Those who are against in turn cite the impact on the environment and quality of life: pollution in cities is greater due to traffic, vehicle congestion and poor waste collection; Cities often exceed the natural capacity to absorb waste, which is detrimental to health; Cities demand land, water and natural resources that are disproportionately high than the surface area they occupy due to high incomes and consumption and the large size of the population. The rapid occupation of land for construction has become one of the most important environmental problems since the second half of the century. Due to the migration from the countryside to large cities and the intense changes in use since the 1960s, the area dedicated to agriculture or natural vegetation is in marked decline.[7]​.

They also cite effects on poverty, since urbanization is linked to the increase in urban poverty; the great inequality in the cities; The poor live in overcrowded informal settlements and in poor conditions because housing costs are high and in addition in these places there are problems related to health, malnutrition, infant mortality, and primary schooling. Finally; Informal settlements are more vulnerable to disasters and pollution. Regarding the negative relationship with rural areas, large-scale emigration tends to cause long-term deterioration of physical and human infrastructure.[5]​.

Regarding social problems, it is mentioned that there is a lot of crime due to the large number of young people and fewer employment opportunities; Due to the strong concentration of citizens, a large number of conflicts are generated.

In a UN survey of government leaders, only 14% agreed with the rate of urbanization and the size of cities, while 83% initiated measures to slow them down and 3% initiated measures to accelerate the growth of their cities.