Table of ContentsIndustrializationSocial Benefits and ServicesModernization and Lifestyle ChangesRural-Urban TransformationTechnological and Infrastructural AdvancesHousing IssuesSlum DevelopmentTraffic CongestionsProvision of Essential ServicesUrbanization refers to an increase in the population in cities and towns compared to rural areas. This is the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas. There are many causes of urbanization; reasons why people move from rural to urban areas. These reasons include: industrialization, commercialization, social benefits and services, employment opportunities, modernization and lifestyle changes and rural-urban transformation. This movement of people from rural to rural areas has many effects, both positive and negative. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay However, the results of urbanization are more negative than positive. Some of the positive effects include the creation of employment, technological and infrastructural opportunities. progress, improved transport and communications, quality educational and medical facilities and finally improved standards of living. However, extensive urbanization mainly leads to negative effects such as: housing problems, overcrowding, unemployment, slum development, water and sanitation problems, poor health and the spread of diseases, traffic congestion and urban crime. However, these negative effects of urbanization can be addressed through things like providing essential services in rural areas and creating jobs in these areas. Urbanization has many different definitions. Urbanization can refer to the process by which cities form and expand as more people begin to live and work in central areas. However, urbanization can also mean that it is the process by which more and more people move from rural areas to live in cities. The second meaning is the topic of discussion and it is the one that interests me a lot. There are many reasons why people move from the countryside to urban areas. What exactly is driving people to move from rural to urban areas and what are the consequences of these movements? These reasons for urbanization are so different that they vary from person to person depending on the different needs of people. Industrialization Industrialization is a trend representing a shift from the old agricultural economy to the non-agricultural economy, which creates a modernized society. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, more people were encouraged to move from rural to urban areas due to improved job opportunities. Industrialization has increased employment opportunities by giving people the opportunity to work in modern sectors in job categories that help drive economic development. Commerce and trade play a major role in urbanization. The distribution of goods and services and commercial transactions in the modern era have expanded. modern marketing institutions and methods of exchange that greatly promoted the growth of cities. This comes with the perception that cities offer better business opportunities and returns than rural areas. Benefits and social services Numerous social benefitsare attributed to life in towns and villages. The mentality that life in cities comes with such things as better educational institutions, better standards of living, better sanitation and housing, better health care, better leisure facilities and better living in general. It is for this reason that more and more people are encouraged to migrate to cities to benefit from a wide variety of social benefits and services that are generally not available in rural areas. Employment Opportunities In towns and villages, there are numerous employment opportunities that continually attract people in rural areas to seek better means of livelihood. Therefore, majority of people frequently migrate to urban areas to access well-paying jobs as urban areas provide innumerable employment opportunities in all sectors of development such as public health, education, transport, sports and leisure, industries and businesses. Services and industries generate and expand higher value-added jobs, which leads to more employment opportunities. Modernization and changes in lifestyle Modernization plays a very important role in the process of urbanization. As urban areas become more and more technologically savvy, with highly sophisticated communications, medical infrastructure, dress code, illumination, liberalization and other social amenities available, people believe that they can lead a happy life in the cities. In urban areas, people also adapt to changes in their lifestyles, including their residential habits, attitudes, clothing, diet and beliefs. As a result, people migrate to cities and cities grow by absorbing increasing numbers of people day by day. Rural-Urban Transformation As localities become more successful and prosperous through mineral discovery, resource exploitation, or agricultural activities, cities begin to emerge. as rural areas transform into urbanism. Increased productivity leads to economic growth and higher value-added employment opportunities. This brings with it the need to develop better infrastructure, better educational institutions, better health facilities, better transport networks, establishment of banking institutions, better governance and better housing. As this happens, rural communities begin to adopt urban culture and eventually become urban centers that continue to grow as more and more people travel to these places in search of a better life. Urbanization produces several positive effects if it occurs within appropriate limits. Some of the positive implications of urbanization therefore include: Creation of employment opportunities These created jobs help the country in reducing the unemployment rate, thereby increasing the gross domestic product of the country and improving the national income of the country in general , leading to better standards of living in the country. Technological and Infrastructural Advances When people live in urban centers, they lead to an increase in commercial affairs which call for improvement in technology and other infrastructural services. For example, due to congestion in urban centers, the government is forced to improve the efficiency of roads, which significantly improves facilities. Improved transport and communications This.