Urbanization generates a unique set of issues in our society. Approximately half of the global population live in cities already and it is projected that by 2050, about two-thirds of people in the world are anticipated to live in urban areas. Some of the central issues we face in regard to urbanization and population in the next century include increased rate of slums. Out of the 9 billion people living in cities, I billion people are currently living in slums and increased urbanization and population would contribute to more slums being established in the future. Also, urbanization leads to poverty and environmental degradation. Poverty has pushed people into living in slums and creation of more slums. Environmental degradation is caused by waste-disposal problems, inadequate water availability, poor air and water quality, and high energy consumption (Gapminder Foundation, n.d).
Urbanization is creating and wide range of contemporary and interconnected societal, physical, and environmental challenges. These challenges requires immediate measures to solve the problem both in short-term and long-term. To adequately address the problem, strategic skills are required to be adopted as early as possible that would allow America and other affected nations to tackle these challenges effectively. These solutions can be applied both at micro level and at macro level. The solutions that can be provided at macro level to lessen these problems include fighting poverty by facilitating job creation and economic development. Implement and use alternative transport systems and upgrading use of energy to minimize air pollution. Establish a private-public partnership to offer services like housing and waste disposal ( Buhaug & Urdal, 2013).
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The solutions that can be provided at micro level to address these problems include involving the local community in the local government to help in decision making regarding ways of addressing urbanization challenges. Planting trees and including care of green spaces in the city as a major component in urban planning ( Buhaug & Urdal, 2013).
References
Buhaug, H., & Urdal, H. (2013). An urbanization bomb? Population growth and social disorder in cities. Global Environmental Change , 23 (1), 1-10.
Gapminder Foundation. (n.d). Human Development Trends. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w33hPL4tdNg
