Urbanisation as a Byproduct
Time stops for no one and with the progression of time comes change. The world is ever-evolving and so is the urban structure around us. Urbanisation at large refers to the migration of citizens from rural to urban areas. This migration is affected by multiple factors such as availability of better resources, and socio-economic and/or cultural aspects. The movement of people across settlements causes a shift in population and the division of the aforementioned resources. Urbanisation is a byproduct of development and spatial urban growth and is inevitable.
What is Hyper- Urbanisation
Hyper Urbanization is an unchecked and rapid upgrade to urbanisation. While urbanisation and development are meant for the growth of a settlement, hyper-urbanisation might not provide the same results. Megapolis and metropolis cities globally are now overpopulated due to the huge influx of people migrating from rural areas. The more people, the higher the demand for resources which the urban cities might not be entirely equipped to provide. One of the most critical reasons for this migration has been noted to be unemployment. With the constant numerous opportunities rising in the urban setup, there is an instant pull for the rural people to shift. The entire process disrupts the urbanisation and development graph, and this disruption is what is termed hyper-urbanisation or over-urbanization.
The Results of Hyper-Urbanization
Rise of Contemporary/Corporate Architecture
With the constant inflow of people, all major urban cities have become witnesses to housing shortages. Providing housing and workplaces for a large community of people, contemporary or corporate architecture is seen as an easy way out of the problem. Large skyscrapers are seen lining the skyline of metropolitan cities to accommodate the needs of this rising population. With the growth of urban architecture, the historical context of these cities is under threat. Every new high-rise commercial structure takes a little more attention away from the historically significant buildings of the place.
Ecological Effects
Hyper-urbanisation directly or indirectly affects the environment around us. There is ecological degradation noticed considering the additional strain on the industrial sector of these settlements. The rapid urbanisation in metropolitan cities has led to significant changes in the land use and land cover of the cities affecting the ecosystem and future conservation projects. It also majorly affects the quality of air, water, and noise around us. Due to the rise of industrial and commercial development, excessive outflow from vehicles, air, noise, and water pollution are caused at a much bigger scale than previously noticed.
Not just that, Urban Expansion has also created a strain on the distribution of urban water resources affecting per capita water supply. It has also impacted the groundwater levels and climate of the urban settlements. With the rise of corporate architecture comes a rise in the use of unsustainable building materials that hamper the climate, causing cities to face extreme temperatures.
Remedies and Advantages of Hyper Urbanization
Sustainable Architectural Approach
The main aim of the rising urban sectors should be to incorporate passive design strategies and sustainable approaches for upcoming architectural projects. Understanding sustainable urban planning strategies and devising cities to facilitate natural approaches that prioritise climate protection beyond all development. Effective incorporation of large water elements and green spaces will also help further reduce the urban heat island effect detected in metropolitan cities. Providing environmentally sound cities allows the residents to experience a good quality of life. Basic sustainable investments such as green biophilic architecture, sustainable industries, water management, and recycling need to be undertaken to reach this goal.
Resource Management
Considering the main purpose of the population shift is the search for better opportunities and resources, urban stakeholders need to factor in the requirements of the people. Innovation and Technology allow for the people to access a plethora of facilities unavailable in the rural setting but sustainable resource division permits everyone to have a bit of all these facilities. Innovative sufficiency patterns, reduce the load on the environment and create a balance between what is available and what is essentially needed by the people.
Advantages to Hyper-Urbanization
A mixed culture of people comes together as a result of this rapid urbanisation. Building onto the social and cultural engagement within a sector hyper urbanisation provides cities with a rich diverse lifestyle. It also ensures a greater connection between the urban and the rural sectors of the cities. The increased population provides for a wider workforce fostering overall industrial growth of the country. Hyper Urbanization also creates additional job opportunities to cater to the growing demands of society. These listed advantages might be created as a silver lining hidden beneath a much larger problem, but
The constantly changing demographics, the urban sprawl of mega-urban agglomerations, and the rising shortages of basic amenities are not matters to be taken lightly. This is a global issue that needs to be dealt with at its core. A deeper understanding of each urban settlement needs to be devised in order to break down to provide efficient remedies to the problems. The changing outlook of the urban environment is inexorable but a controlled development of the same is what is required and is the solution to this totality.
REFERENCES:
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2.Ali, Dr.E. (2020) Urbanisation in India: Causes, growth, trends, Patterns, Consequences & Remedial Measures, Academia.edu. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/42295236/Urbanisation_in_India_Causes_Growth_Trends_Patterns_Consequences_and_Remedial_Measures (Accessed: 18 August 2024).
3.Ergün, R. and Bekleyen, A. (2024) ‘An architectural taxonomic proposal for passive design strategies used in traditional architecture of areas with hot and dry climates’, Journal of Engineering Research [Preprint]. doi:10.1016/j.jer.2024.05.019.
4.(No date) IFTF. Available at: https://legacy.iftf.org/uploads/media/SR-1473_TYF12_HyperUrbanForecast_sm_01.pdf (Accessed: 18 August 2024).
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