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Urban Evolution: Exploring the Transformative Power of Urbanization

We live in an urban world and an urban economy. Substantial acreage is dedicated to agriculture, but any population density map will quickly reveal that today’s communities are larger and more concentrated than ever. Insights from the World Bank suggest that, globally, 56 percent of the world’s population resides in urban areas. To add, by 2050, 7 in 10 people will be urban residents. 

Critics worry about this trend, fearing that urbanization will give way to greater pollution, public health crises, and many other problems. This is not inevitable, however, and several success stories demonstrate that, with proper planning and sufficient resources, sustainable urban development is well within reach. 

Sustainable urban planning promises to leverage current trends in urbanization while improving health outcomes and minimizing environmental degradation. This represents a huge area of opportunity for passionate professionals who want to reveal what is possible within the modern sustainable city. 

Interested in joining this movement? Keep reading to uncover the evolving urbanization meaning within this changing urban dynamic, and learn what the sustainable city of the future might look like. 

Introduction: The Urbanization Meaning and Its Global Impact

Urbanization represents a population shift, in which millions or even hundreds of millions of humans move from rural areas to urban settings. This shift from agriculture to industry began slowly centuries ago but rapidly accelerated with the Industrial Revolution, as factory jobs drew people to cities. 

In the U.S., the most sizable shift occurred until around 1920, as evidenced by that year’s Census. This was the first time in which over half the population was reported to live in urban areas. However, recent Census data reveals that 80 percent of the population now resides in urban areas. 

The Urban Landscape: How Cities Shape and Are Shaped

Urbanization occurs in response to several nuanced phenomena but primarily relates to rapid population growth and economic transitions. This is especially for those that call for a greater focus on manufacturing. During this transition, cities form hubs of economic activity, often attracting new residents with desirable or high-paying jobs. This prompts urban expansion as housing shortages emerge. This, in turn, could prompt urban sprawl. 

That said, there is another way. If urban and regional planners identify urbanization trends, they can adjust their approach accordingly, often with strategies such as zoning regulations or growth boundaries. This should be accompanied by infrastructure development. This means stronger transportation networks, upgraded utilities, and ideally, green infrastructure, as we will discuss in more detail below. 

Challenges of Urbanization: Navigating the Complexities

Urbanization can bring about valuable opportunities, but these are often accompanied by significant challenges. A lot depends on how this process plays out. With proper urban planning, it’s possible to reap the cultural and economic rewards of urbanization without placing too much strain on already overburdened infrastructure. Common challenges include: 

  • Urban sprawl. Typically involving the rapid escalation of low-density development, urban sprawl occurs when cities extend outward in hopes of alleviating housing shortages and otherwise accommodating quickly-growing populations. This can place strain on transportation infrastructure, causing residents to be more dependent on their cars and ultimately, dealing with more traffic and higher emissions. 
  • Housing disparities and segregation. Traditionally, urbanization has driven high property values in downtown districts, making it difficult for lower-income residents to find their footing. This may result in a concentration of poverty, in which lower-income individuals or families can only afford to reside on the outskirts or in neighborhoods with minimal access to critical resources. Gentrification has escalated these problems, further displacing low-income residents and further reinforcing segregation. Redlining, despite being illegal, continues to harm residents, especially minorities, by limiting access to mortgages and wealth-building opportunities. 
  • Public health concerns. Urban areas tend to produce more pollution through increased traffic or industrial output. This may aggravate asthma or other health conditions. Meanwhile, strained infrastructure may lead to poor water quality and limited access to healthcare services, thereby accelerating the spread of severe diseases and also making residents less resilient to potential infections. 

Solutions for Urban Sustainability: Building a Better Future

For a number of communities, addressing the challenges of urbanization begins with strategic planning. Stakeholders need to recognize early on that swift urbanization is likely, and that a passive approach could lead to real problems down the road. 

No matter which solutions are proposed, community engagement needs to be a central part of the picture. Residents should be encouraged share their thoughts and to get involved in sustainability initiatives. Frequently proposed solutions include: 

Smart Growth Principles 

Bringing a holistic and practical approach to urban planning, smart growth aims to safeguard both human health and the environment. The goal is to drive long-term sustainability while allowing for urban development. 

  • Compact development. Accommodating more people within smaller areas, compact development strives for efficient land use — doing more with less. This may involve cluster development and high-density growth aligned with mass transit corridors. 
  • Mixed-use planning. Meant to promote accessibility and to encourage walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use planning can limit urban sprawl by making better use of available space within city centers. This integrates residential, commercial, and institutional spaces, rather than strictly zoning distinct districts. This can happen within a single building (vertical) or across a neighborhood (horizontal), combining retail and residential spaces. 
  • Transit-oriented design. Strong public transit limits traffic and emissions while also granting residents convenient access to numerous neighborhoods. Compact development makes this easier, but fast bus and rail systems can also improve transit in suburbs or less dense cities. 

Green Infrastructure 

Green infrastructure offers a fresh approach to managing stormwater, replacing traditional drainage systems with natural solutions that filter and absorb water where it falls. 

The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act highlights several measures designed to “store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater,” including plant systems and even permeable pavement. This can take many forms, ideally adapted to fit the unique needs and opportunities of specific communities. Potential options include: 

  • Park space 
  • Roadside plantings 
  • Rain gardens 
  • Vegetated rooftops 

Renewable Energy 

As more people move to urban areas, the demand for energy increases substantially. After all, HVAC systems, lighting, and data centers all consume vast amounts of energy. Additionally, urban residents often lead energy-intensive lifestyles. 

Without renewable energy as part of the equation, cities become dependent on ‘dirty’ solutions such as coal or natural gas. That said, the first step toward environmental sustainability involves strategic building design and orientation. For example, natural airflow limits the need for air conditioning while natural light helps occupants limit their use of artificial lighting. 

Solar panels and solar thermal systems are also essential, although some cities now also make use of small-scale wind turbines. Meanwhile, waste-to-energy systems can convert non-recyclable materials into usable heat. 

Circular Economy 

Meant to keep products and materials in circulation for as long as possible, the circular economy promotes minimalism, moving away from the “take, make, dispose” ethos of the classic linear economy. 

While circular approaches can be implemented in many settings, urban areas are especially well-suited to such practices, as higher densities render circled products more accessible. Products should be designed for longevity, and ideally, Product-as-a-Service models will allow consumers to rent items that are only temporarily required. 

Urban Innovation: Harnessing Technology for Urban Evolution

While advanced technologies can dramatically increase energy consumption, they also have an exciting role to play in creatively addressing environmental concerns. Through the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), we can make progress toward a new vision of urban vitality. This consists of smart cities, in which data-driven insights improve urban planning and the deployment of critical city services. 

Smart city hallmarks identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation include: 

  • Networks of sensors for gathering and analyzing data. 
  • An open data philosophy in which the government shares insights with the public. 
  • Strong connectivity to facilitate the effective monitoring of city infrastructure. 

The Future of Urbanization: Visions for Thriving Cities

While numerous cities must face the consequences of previous urban planning oversights, it’s not too late to prioritize urban sustainability. Across the world, numerous cities demonstrate a commitment to clean energy and other sustainable initiatives. Exciting examples include: 

  • Copenhagen. From electric buses to offshore wind turbines, Copenhagen is actively striving to limit the city’s carbon footprint while bringing the perks of sustainable living to as many residents as possible. On a larger scale, Denmark has adopted an ambitious goal of becoming the very first country to achieve total independence from fossil fuels, ideally by 2050. 
  • San Diego. US cities rarely make the world’s top ten sustainability lists, but some are beginning to show considerable progress, following in the footsteps of Scandinavian sustainability leaders. San Diego particularly demonstrates what an American green city can accomplish. With 40 percent of power generation already stemming from renewable resources, the city is making clear progress toward its ambitious goal of 100 percent renewable energy. 

Conclusion: Embracing the Urban Evolution

Urbanization trends are accelerating, and while this shift can present considerable challenges, there are also new opportunities to re-imagine the concept of the eco-friendly city. This movement desperately needs passionate advocates who understand not only which urban sustainability initiatives can drive change, but also, how to implement these strategies. This is a priority at Unity. Our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Process Engineering aims to empower future sustainable leaders, offering insights into wastewater treatments, air quality management, and much more, but from a sustainable engineering perspective. Get in touch to learn more.

Sources

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/overview
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/urban-rural-populations.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm
https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/11.%20FS-Compact-Development.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/about-smart-growth
https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity
https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/paas-reducing-business-environment-costs/
https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure
https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/wonderful-copenhagen/international-press/sustainability-copenhagen
https://www.epa.gov/smm/energy-recovery-combustion-municipal-solid-waste-msw#
https://www.wonderfulcopenhagen.com/wonderful-copenhagen/international-press/sustainability-copenhagen
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/urbanization/