Introduction
Over-urbanisation refers to a situation where the rate of urban population growth exceeds the rate at which cities can provide adequate housing, employment, infrastructure, and services. It leads to overcrowding, unemployment, slums, pollution, and social disintegration. In many developing countries, including India, over-urbanisation is becoming a serious challenge to sustainable development and quality of life in cities.
Definition and Meaning
Over-urbanisation is not just rapid urban growth; it is uncontrolled, unplanned, and disproportionate to economic development. It results in a large number of people migrating to urban areas without a corresponding increase in jobs, housing, sanitation, and transport.
Major Causes of Over-Urbanisation
1. Rural-Urban Migration
- Push factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of basic services in rural areas drive people to cities.
- Pull factors like job opportunities, better education, and healthcare attract rural populations to urban centers.
2. Industrialization and Economic Growth
- Industries are concentrated in urban areas, drawing workers from rural regions.
- Urban centers offer a variety of economic opportunities that rural areas lack.
3. Lack of Rural Development
- Insufficient investment in rural infrastructure, health, and education forces people to migrate.
- Development policies often focus on urban growth, neglecting rural needs.
4. Natural Population Growth
- High birth rates in urban areas also contribute to urban population growth.
- Improvements in healthcare reduce death rates, increasing population density.
5. Administrative and Political Centralization
- Important administrative, commercial, and educational institutions are located in cities.
- This centralization attracts people seeking better services and opportunities.
6. Globalisation and Urban Bias
- Global investments and modernization are focused on cities, promoting urban growth.
- Media and advertising portray urban life as glamorous, influencing aspirations.
7. Displacement and Environmental Changes
- Large infrastructure projects (dams, mines) displace rural populations.
- Climate change and natural disasters force people to leave villages and settle in urban slums.
Consequences of Over-Urbanisation
- Slum Formation: Millions live in substandard housing without water, electricity, or sanitation.
- Unemployment and Underemployment: Cities fail to absorb the large labor force.
- Traffic Congestion and Pollution: Overloaded infrastructure leads to environmental degradation.
- Inadequate Services: Shortage of schools, hospitals, and public transport systems.
- Social Problems: Crime, inequality, and marginalization increase in over-urbanised areas.
Examples from India
- Mumbai: Home to Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, highlighting housing shortage.
- Delhi NCR: Rapid expansion has led to pollution, traffic chaos, and illegal colonies.
- Bangalore: Faces water scarcity, overpopulation, and inadequate waste management.
Government Measures
- Smart Cities Mission: Aims to create planned and sustainable urban spaces.
- AMRUT: Focuses on urban water supply and sewage treatment.
- PMAY: Affordable housing schemes for urban poor.
- RURBAN Mission: Promotes development of rural areas to reduce migration.
Conclusion
Over-urbanisation is a reflection of unbalanced development and poor planning. While urbanization is a natural part of modernization, it must be managed with strong policy interventions. Promoting rural development, decentralizing governance, improving urban planning, and investing in sustainable infrastructure are essential steps to address the negative consequences of over-urbanisation and build inclusive, livable cities.