Urbanization

Ecosystem benefits and risks

 global population distribution

urban popu-
lation
rural popu-
lation

O About 55% of the world’s population lives in cities and the

global urbanization rate is expected to reach 68% by 2050.
The need for Urbanization
Effects of urbanization
Economic Effects
• Employment
• High cost of living

Social Effects
• Provisions for hospitals, banks, schools
• Heightened crime rates
• Proliferation of slums

Health Effects
• Poor sanition
• Frequent outbreaks of contagious diseases

Environmental Effects
• Pollution
• Urban Heat islands
Urbanization and the environment
O Urban populations interact with their environment
and change their environment through their
consumption of food, energy, water, and land.
O In turn, the altered urban environment affects the
health and quality of life of the urban population.

O Within appropriate limits, urbanization has great

positive effects to offer, whereas extensive
urbanization is hazardous to both the population and
it’s environment.
Ecosystems
O Ecosystems are the foundations of the Biosphere
and they determine the health of the entire Earth
system.

O Urban expansion can cause great changes in

ecosystem structure and function.
O During the process of urbanization, the flow of
material, energy, and information is influenced, and
the structure and function of ecosystems are affected.
O.
 Ecosystem Benefits
If managed properly, urbanization can be good for the
environment and its ecosystems.

O Cities can contain a large number of native species and

some taxonomic groups are able to successfully exploit
urban ecosystems.

O New green areas like parks and squares are created in

cities, in which work is carried out to preserve and
improve the properties of urban soils. All urban soils
are fertilized, enriched by peat, compost and new plants.
O The evolution of life cycles and traits that
help species survive and reproduce in
disturbed or altered ecosystems.

O For example, some bird populations living

in urban environments have altered their beak
shape to be able to more effectively eat the
seeds in human-made bird feeders
O Urbanization brings higher productivity with fewer
resources, hence reducing the ecological footprint.

O High urban density is benign for the environment.

Studies show compactness of population results in
efficient energy use.
O Urban living encourages walking and cycling rather
than driving.
O Urbanization drives innovation, including
green technologies. In the long term,
environment-friendly equipment, machines,
vehicles, and utilities will determine the future
of the green economy.
 Ecosystem Risks
O Despite its benefits, urbanization is known to have
overall negative effect on ecosystems.

O Causing habitat loss, land

fragmentation and deforestation, which can
decrease species populations and biodiversity, and
alter interactions among organisms.
O The transmission of diseases.
O Humans living in densely populated urban areas can
rapidly spread diseases within and, with the ease
and volume of transportation, among populations.
O Urbanization also creates disturbed
environments where invasive species often
thrive and outcompete native species. For
example, many invasive plant species thrive
along strips of land next to roads and
highways.
O Creation of Urban heat islands: because of lack
of vegetation cities absorb a lot more heat causing
an increase in regional temperatures.

O Urban run off: Paving land with concrete can

increase water runoff, increasing erosion and
decreasing soil quality.

O Pollution (Land, Air, water, Noise)

1. Air: Release of gases like sulphur and
nitrogen into the atmosphere resulting in acid
rain; Overall degradation in air quality.
2. Water: pollution during construction and
waste disposal; Eutrophication.
3. Land: loss of agricultural land; construction
of landfills.
 Conclusion

O Urbanization has attractive economic and social

benefits but must be controlled and properly
planned to prevent environmental degradation.
O Use of sustainable urban resources should be
encouraged.
O Urban planning should be prioritized to
establish sustainable cities that embrace
improved environmental conditions with equal
access to essential social services.
Fin.
 references
O https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7036
921
/
O https://ugc.berkeley.edu/background-content/urbaniza
tion
/
O https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/795106
O https://www.prb.org/resources/urbanization-an-enviro
nmental-force-to-be-reckoned-with
/
O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzGRRGZk1Y0
O https://
www.slideshare.net/HopesonEliEtsra/effects-of-urban
ization-on-the-ecosystem-55550363