Issue of overpopulation or urban sprawl?
The increased promise of jobs, prosperity and improved quality of life has resulted in an increase in the migration to urban centers and the increased population of people in cities. Currently, 50% of the population in the world occupies urban centers, and it is anticipated that the urban coverage will increase to 67% by 2050 (Un.org). However, environmental degradation and poverty are primary problems in the urban setting due to poor city planning.
The movement of people into cities has resulted in the increased provision of both skilled and unskilled labor. It is imperative to note that most industries are positioned in urban areas leading to the increased demand for labor. The movement of people to cities leads to the increase in the pool of both skilled and unskilled labor where the industries can select the best qualified candidates for particular positions (Spence, Annez and Buckley, 67). In addition, urban centers provide educational facilities and exposure to information and news. This has facilitated the enlightenment of individuals that move to the cities since they are able to interact with a wider audience and get exposed to numerous information sources.
The increase in the population in urban centers has resulted in an increase in the population of the people in urban centers beyond the capacity that the urban centers can handle (Spence, Annez and Buckley, 167). This is termed as overpopulation where the available resources are insufficient to cater for the increasing population in urban centers.
The primary results of overpopulation in urban centers is the increased destruction of the environment and poverty. The unavailability of job opportunities has resulted in the increased poverty of individuals in urban centers. This has been brought about by the decrease in the available opportunities. In addition, the degradation of the environment is evident in urban centers as a result of poor disposal of waste and the decrease in the individual consciousness on the general cleanliness. In addition, the increase in the manufacturing processes has resulted in the emissions that degrade the environment.
The control of movement into urban centers can be considered to be an infringement of the individual right of movement. Therefore, it is increasingly difficult to control the movement of the population into urban centers. Moreover, the control of the movement of individuals into urban centers may present people from attaining their full potential through denying them access to the available opportunities.
First, the federal and national governments can demand the attainment of certain education levels before movement into urban areas. This will ensure the controlled movement of individuals into urban centers based on the educational demands of the industries present in urban areas. In addition, people should be subjected to mandatory payments for the maintenance of the environment by the government. Another approach would be to subject people to mandatory classes on the need for environmental protection and proper mechanisms of waste disposal. This is bound to prevent the poor disposal of waste by individuals and enhance their environmental consciousness. Moreover, the government can introduce trackers in citizens that provide digital information on the citizen, including the location and movement. This will ensure effective control of the movement of people into urban centers.
Essay format
#1 Paragraph issues pros: increase availability of labor, enlighten individuals
#2 paragraph issues cons: Increased capacity in urban centers
#3 paragraph values pros: poverty, environmental degradation
#4 paragraph values cons: individual rights, opportunities
#5 paragraph creative strategies (required 4-6)
Require the securing of job before migrating to cities
Mandatory payment for maintenance
Mandatory classes on environmental protection
Introduction of trackers to monitor population movement
Work Cited
Spence, Michael, Patricia Clarke Annez, and Robert M Buckley. Urbanization and Growth. Washington, DC: Commission on Growth and Development, 2009. Print.
Un.org,. "World Urbanization Prospects The 2007 Revision". Un.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 2May 2016.<http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup2007/2007WUP_Highlights_web.pdf>.
