Urbanization
Thousands of years ago, a small group of hunter-gatherers gathered around a fire in what is now the Indus Valley. They were not yet farmers, but they were beginning to stay in one place longer than before. This shift marked the first major change in how humans settled on Earth. The accumulation of people into villages created a new social structure based on common bloodlines and intimate relationships. These early communities relied on subsistence agriculture and trade at local markets. For centuries, the ratio of rural to urban population remained fixed. Most people lived in the countryside, while only tiny centers of towns existed for economic activity. This equilibrium held until the late 18th century when the British Agricultural Revolution began to alter the landscape.
In England and Wales, the proportion of the population living in cities with more than 20,000 people jumped from 17% in 1801 to 54% in 1891. Laborers freed up from working the land converged on new industrial cities like Manchester and Birmingham. These places experienced a boom in commerce, trade, and industry. Growing trade allowed cereals to be imported from North America and refrigerated meat from Australasia and South America. Public transport systems facilitated commutes of longer distances to the city center for the working class. By 1891, the urbanized population in England and Wales represented 72% of the total. In contrast, other countries lagged behind with figures of 37% in France, 41% in Prussia, and 28% in the United States. The relationship between rural life and small town economies was finally broken by unprecedented growth.
An urban heat island forms when industrial areas absorb and retain heat. Much of the solar energy reaching rural areas is used to evaporate water from plants and soil. In cities, there is less vegetation and exposed soil. Most of the sun's energy is instead absorbed by buildings and asphalt, leading to higher surface temperatures. Vehicles, factories, and heating units release even more heat into the atmosphere. As a result, cities are often warmer than other areas near them. A study in Doha found that land-surface temperatures increased annually by 0.65 degrees Celsius from 2002 to 2013. Urban heat islands also make the soil drier and reduce its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from emissions. This phenomenon has become a growing concern over the years as global temperatures rise.
Nearly 23.5 million people in the United States lack access to supermarkets within one mile of their home. These areas are known as food deserts. Long distances to a grocery store are associated with higher rates of obesity and other health disparities. Food deserts in developed countries often correspond to areas with a high density of fast food chains and convenience stores. Urbanization has been shown to be associated with the consumption of less fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Poor access to healthy food and high intakes of fat, sugar, and salt are linked to a greater risk for obesity, diabetes, and related chronic disease. Overall, body mass index and cholesterol levels increase sharply with national income and the degree of urbanization. In children, urbanization is associated with a lower risk of under-nutrition but a higher risk of being overweight.
According to the UN, the year 2007 witnessed the turning point when more than 50% of the world population was living in cities for the first time in human history. At the turn of the 20th century, just 15% of the world's population lived in cities. The predicted urban population growth is equivalent to approximately 3 billion urbanites by 2050. Much of this growth will occur in Africa and Asia. Notably, the United Nations projected that nearly all global population growth from 2017 to 2030 would take place in cities. About 1.1 billion new urbanites were expected over the next 10 years. This rapid expansion creates artificial scarcities of land, drinking water, playgrounds, and other essential resources for most urban dwellers. Developing urban resilience and sustainability remains at the center of international policy goals.
Walkable communities have a 38% higher average GDP per capita than less walkable urban metros. Smart Growth and New Urbanism principles include walkability, mixed-use development, comfortable high-density design, and land conservation. Mixed-use communities work to fight gentrification with affordable housing to promote social equity. They also decrease automobile dependency to lower use of fossil fuels and promote a localized economy. By combining economic, environmental, and social sustainability, cities become equitable and resilient. Concepts of control of urban expansion are considered by the American Institute of Planners. Landscape planners are responsible for public parks, sustainable drainage systems, and greenways. These elements can be planned before urbanization takes place or afterwards to revitalize an area and create greater livability within a region.
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Common questions
When did the urbanization of England and Wales reach 72 percent?
The urbanized population in England and Wales reached 72 percent by 1891. This figure represents a significant jump from 17 percent in 1801 to 54 percent in 1891 during the British Agricultural Revolution.
What year marked the first time more than half of the world lived in cities?
The United Nations reported that 2007 was the turning point when over 50 percent of the global population lived in cities for the first time. At the start of the 20th century, only 15 percent of the world's population resided in urban areas.
How does urbanization affect food access and health outcomes in the United States?
Nearly 23.5 million people in the United States lack access to supermarkets within one mile of their home, creating food deserts. These areas are associated with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and related chronic diseases due to limited fresh produce availability.
Why do cities experience higher temperatures compared to rural areas?
Urban heat islands form because industrial areas absorb solar energy through buildings and asphalt instead of using it to evaporate water from plants. Vehicles, factories, and heating units release additional heat into the atmosphere, raising surface temperatures significantly.
Which countries had lower urbanization percentages than England and Wales by 1891?
Other nations lagged behind England and Wales with figures of 37 percent in France, 41 percent in Prussia, and 28 percent in the United States during that period. This disparity highlights how unprecedented growth broke the relationship between rural life and small town economies.