Urbanized City

Image by mattlemmon via Flickr

Image by Lauren Manning via Flickr

The history of urbanization can be traced back thousands of years ago in the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia (Iraq), India, China and Egypt. During those times farming was the main source of income. However, as time progressed, population boomed and folks became merchants and traders.

For the last 200 years, industrialization accelerated dramatically. Urban growth was caused by job demand. Rural folks migrated in the city in search for better opportunities. It was said that in the 1950’s, the cities had 1/3 of human population and by 2030- 2/3 of the human population will be concentrated in the center.

Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in the world, surpassed 13 million in numbers of people, its government says.

It increased by 0.5 percent from the same month last year. The latest demographic study contrasts factors of long life spans, low birth rates and a shrinking population. Considering that Tokyo is only 2188 km. or 0.6 % of total area of Japan.

Moreover, migration between Tokyo and other prefectures as of 2008 recorded 768,000 persons in total with 426,000 persons moved into Tokyo while 343,000 persons moved out, for a net population growth of 83,000 persons. The number of foreign residents as of October 1, 2009 hit 417,000 which is 1.5 times more than the last 10 years.

For many reasons, humans choose to live in cities. Services like water, electricity, and transportation are more accessible. Also, government provides faster service and makes more projects as infrastructure for development. Product and personal service and shops are easier to find in cities.

Cities have always been target for advancement and economic growth. The promise of prosperity encourages rural folks giving up a bigger space and cleaner environment in the rural area. Because of these, many of them end up without a job, and settling in slums in the city.

Overcrowding, poverty, violence pollution and health problems are few of urban problems. Perhaps the promise of a good life in the city might be the exact opposite of one’s daydream.