Architecture And Town Planning Lecture 2 PDF

ARCHITECTURE AND TOWN PLANNING TOWN PLANNING, URBANIZATION (causes and remedial measures) Lecture # 2  TOWN PLANNING Urban planning, also known as town planning, city planning, regional planning, or rural planning in specific contexts, is a technical and political process that...

ARCHITECTURE AND TOWN PLANNING TOWN PLANNING, URBANIZATION (causes and remedial measures) Lecture # 2  TOWN PLANNING Urban planning, also known as town planning, city planning, regional planning, or rural planning in specific contexts, is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment, including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas, such as transportation, communications, and distribution networks, and their accessibility.  Technical aspects of urban planning involve the application of scientific, technical processes, considerations and features that are involved in planning for land use, urban design, natural resources, transportation, and infrastructure.  Urban planning includes techniques such as: predicting population growth, zoning, geographic mapping and analysis, analyzing park space, surveying the water supply, identifying transportation patterns, recognizing food supply Urban planning is a process of elaborating solutions that aim both to improve an existing urban area, as well as to create a new urbanization in a given region. TRENDS IN URBAN GROWTH For most of human history, most people across the world lived in small communities. Over the past few centuries – and particularly in recent decades – this has shifted dramatically. There has been a mass migration of populations from rural to urban areas. More than 4 billion people – more than half of the world – live in urban areas Urbanization is a process whereby populations move from rural to urban areas, enabling cities and towns to grow. -----It can also be termed as a progressive increase in the number of people living in towns and cities. Why people are choosing urbanization? These include social and economic advantages such as better education, health care, sanitation, housing, business opportunities, and transportation. VARIOUS CAUSES OF URBANIZATION Industrializatio n Modernization and Changes in Commercializati the Mode of on Living Rural- Social urban Benefits Transforma and tion Services Employme nt Opportunit ies VARIOUS CAUSES OF URBANIZATION 1. INDUSTRIALIZATION Industrialization is the shift from the old agricultural economics to a novel non- agricultural economy, which creates a modernized society. Through the industrial revolution, more people have been attracted to move from rural to urban areas due to improved employment opportunities. 2. Commercialization  Commerce and trade play a major role in urbanization. The distribution of goods and services and commercial transactions in the modern era has developed modern marketing institutions and exchange methods.  This has tremendously given rise to the growth of towns and cities.  Commercialization and trade come with the general perception that the towns and cities offer better commercial opportunities and 3. Social Benefits and Services There are numerous social benefits attributed to life in cities and towns. Examples include better educational facilities, better living standards, better sanitation and housing, better health care, better recreation facilities, and better social life in general. On this account, more and more people are prompted to migrate into cities and towns to obtain various social benefits and services unavailable in rural areas. 4. Employment Opportunities In cities and towns, ample job opportunities continually draw people from rural areas to seek a better livelihood. Therefore, most people frequently migrate to urban areas to access well-paying jobs, as urban areas have countless employment opportunities in all developmental sectors, like public health, education, transport, sports and recreation, industries, and business enterprises. 5. Modernization and Changes in the Mode of Living Modernization plays a very important role in the process of urbanization. As urban areas become more technology-savvy, together with highly sophisticated communication, infrastructure, medical facilities, dress code, enlightenment, liberalization, and other social amenities available, people believe they can lead a happy life in cities. In urban areas, people also embrace changes in the modes of living, namely residential habits, 6. Rural-urban Transformation As localities become more fruitful and prosperous due to the discovery of minerals, resource exploitation, or agricultural activities, cities emerge as the rural areas transform into urbanism. The increase in productivity leads to economic growth and higher value-added employment opportunities. This brings about the need to develop better infrastructure, learning institutions, health facilities, transportation networks, and the establishment of banking institutions, better governance, and housing. As this occurs, rural communities start to adopt the urban culture and ultimately become urban centers that continue to grow as more people move to such locations in search of a better life. EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION ON OUR CITIES Urbanization has both positive and negative effects on our cities. Let’s explore some of these impacts. 1. Positive Effects of Urbanization Urbanization yields several positive effects if it happens within the appropriate limits.  The creation of employment opportunities.  Technological and infrastructural advancements.  Improved transportation and communication.  Quality educational and medical facilities.  Improved standards of living. 2. Negative Effects of Urbanization However, extensive urbanization mostly results in adverse effects. 1. Housing Problems  Urbanization attracts people to cities and towns, leading to a high population increase. With the increase in the number of people living in urban centers, there is a continued scarcity of houses.  This is due to insufficient expansion space for housing and public utilities, poverty, unemployment, and costly building materials that only a few individuals can afford. 2. Overcrowding  Overcrowding is a situation whereby a huge number of people live in a small space.  This form of congestion in urban areas is consistent because of overpopulation, an aspect that increases daily as more people and immigrants move into cities and towns for better livelihood.  Most people from rural or undeveloped areas always have the urge to migrate into the city, normally leading to congestion of people within a small area. 3. Development of Slums  The cost of living in urban areas is very high.  When this is combined with random and unexpected growth and unemployment, there is the spread of unlawful resident settlements represented by slums and squatters.  The growth of slums and squatters in urban areas is even further worsened by fast-paced industrialization, lack of developed land for housing, a large influx of rural immigrants to the cities, and the elevated prices of land beyond the reach of the urban poor. 4. Water and Sanitation Problems o Because of overpopulation and rapid population increase in most urban centers, inadequate sewage facilities are likely to be common. o Municipalities and local governments are faced with serious resource crisis in managing sewage facilities. As a result, sanitation becomes poor and sewages flow chaotically, draining into neighboring streams, rivers, lakes, or seas. o Eventually, communicable diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, plague, and diarrhea spread very fast, leading to suffering and even deaths. On top of that, overcrowding highly contributes to water scarcity as supply is less demand. 5. Poor Health and Spread of Diseases The social, economic, and living conditions in congested urban areas affect access and utilization of public health care services. Slum areas, in particular, experience poor sanitation and insufficient water supply, making the people living there susceptible to communicable diseases. Environmental problems such as urban pollution also cause many health problems, namely allergies, asthma, infertility, food poisoning, 6. Traffic Congestion  When more people move to towns and cities, one of the major challenges posed is in the transport system.  More people means an increased number of vehicles, leading to traffic congestion and vehicular pollution.  Many people in urban areas drive to work, creating a severe traffic problem, especially during rush hours.  7. Urban Crime  Issues of lack of resources, overcrowding, unemployment, poverty, and lack of social services and education habitually lead to many social problems, including violence, drug abuse, and crime.  Most crimes, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, riots, assault, theft, robbery, and hijacking, are reported to be more prominent in urban vicinities.  Besides, poverty-related crimes are the highest in fast-growing urban regions.  These acts of urban crime normally upset the peace and tranquility of cities/towns.  “SOLUTIONS TO URBANIZATION” Although most effects of urbanization are negative, there are a few that can be done to help mitigate the negative impacts. 1. BUILDING SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY CITIES  Governments should pass laws that plan and provide environmentally sound cities and smart growth techniques, considering that people should not reside in unsafe and polluted areas.  The objective here is to build sustainable cities that embrace improved environm ental conditions and safe habitats for all urban populations.  Governments should also encourage sustainable use of urban resources and support an economy based on sustainable environments, such as through investment in green infrastructure, sustainable industries, recycling and environmental campaigns, pollution management, 2. PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES  Urban stakeholders must ensure all populations within the urban areas have access to adequate essential social services, namely education, health, sanitation and clean water, technology, electricity, and food.  This will provide and implement employment opportunities and wealth creation activities so that people can earn a living to pay for the maintenance of the services.  The governments can also avail subsidies to lower the costs of basic healthcare, basic education, energy, education, public transportation, communication systems, and technology. 3. CREATION OF MORE JOBS o To lessen the negative effects of rapid urbanization while at the same time conserving natural ecosystems, private investments should be encouraged to utilize natural resources and create more job opportunities. o Tourism promotion and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources can create more jobs for urban populations. o Subsidies and grants may as well be provided to foreign and private investment in environmentally friendly development projects that encourage job creation. 4. Population Control  Key stakeholders in urban areas must provide campaigns and counseling for effective medical health clinics and family planning to help reduce the high rates of population growth.  Medical health clinics oriented towards family planning options must be made accessible across the entire urban area with the objective of controlling diseases and population growth. ANY QUESTION?