Urbanisation Problems and Remedies – UPSC Notes

Urbanisation is a revolutionary process signifying the movement of people from rural to urban regions, usually as a result of industrialisation, economic development, and socio-political changes. Although urbanisation brings economic vibrancy and modernisation, uncontrolled and unorganised urban expansion poses many problems. In India, the urban population grew from 28% in 2005 to 34% in 2019. This shows how quickly this trend is happening. However, this growth brings a number of socio-economic, infrastructure, and environmental problems that need immediate attention. The causes, problems, and solutions of urbanisation are clearly outlined in this article, particularly in light of India's development and UPSC preparation.

What Will You Learn from This Article? (Relevant for UPSC Mains and GS Paper-I)

❓What are the key problems associated with rapid urbanisation in India?
❓How do environmental, infrastructural, and social issues emerge due to urban growth?
❓What are the constitutional and policy frameworks addressing urban problems in India?
❓What are the practical remedies and sustainable strategies to address urbanisation issues?
❓How are smart cities and urban planning initiatives reshaping Indian urban governance?
❓What is the comparative analysis of Indian urbanisation with global urban trends?

What is Urbanisation?

Urbanisation refers to the increasing concentration of a population in towns and cities, resulting in the expansion of urban areas and transformation of rural settlements. It is commonly associated with:

• Structural Changes: Movement of population into cities, infrastructure development, and economic agglomeration.
• Demographic Changes: Increased urban population and rural-urban migration.
• Behavioural Changes: Shift in lifestyle, values, and cultural practices shaped by urban influence.

Urbanisation is both a result and cause of development. While it brings about access to services, employment, and better standards of living, it also can precipitate over-urbanisation, pressure on infrastructure, and spatial inequality.

Process and Patterns of Urbanisation

Stages of Urbanisation:

• Stage 1: Slow growth; population involved in agriculture.
• Stage 2: Fast urban growth owing to economic growth.
• Stage 3: Urban peak; most residents live in towns and cities.
• Stage 4: Counter-urbanisation; individuals move to peri-urban/rural regions.
• Stage 5: Re-urbanisation; urban areas start to regain population growth.

Types of Urbanisation:

• Urbanism: Urban lifestyle shift.
• Over-urbanisation: Growth exceeds infrastructure/job capacity.
• Counter-urbanisation: Reverse migration to rural regions.
• Rural-urban continuum: Blurring line between rural and urban life.

Spatial Patterns (Global & India):

• Developed Nations: High urbanisation rates (e.g., Singapore 100%, USA 82%).
• Developing Nations: Rapid urban growth but low urbanisation rates (e.g., India >30% as per 2019–20 NFHS-5).
• By 2030: Global urban population projected to reach 41%.

Major Causes of Urbanisation in India

Industrialisation: Growth of industries pulled rural labour and resulted in migration to cities.

Employment Opportunities: Cities provide employment opportunities in industry, IT, services, and unorganized sectors.

Migration: Push-pull causes rural-urban, urban-rural, and circular migration.

Infrastructure Development: Improving transport, housing, and amenities pull people to cities.

Urban Policy and Governance: Initiatives such as Smart Cities Mission and urban reforms have promoted urbanisation.

Problems Due to Urbanisation

Social Problems

• Slums: 17% of India’s urban population lives in slums (Census 2011). These areas lack sanitation, water, and healthcare.
• Urban Poverty: According to the World Bank, about 80 million people live in urban poverty, with limited access to services.
• Unemployment: NFHS-5 reports unemployment rates at 8.7% (men) and 18.5% (women) in urban areas.
• Inequality & Housing Shortages: Rising inequality due to lack of affordable housing and rent control issues.

Infrastructural Challenges

• Inadequate Public Utilities: Water, electricity, sewage, and transportation are overburdened.
• Urban Sprawl & Vacant Housing: Rapid expansion leads to vacant properties and inefficient land use.
• Traffic Congestion: Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore lose $22 billion annually due to congestion (Boston Consulting Group).

Environmental Issues

• Air & Water Pollution: Cities experience high PM2.5 concentrations and depleting groundwater. NITI Aayog estimates 21 cities could exhaust groundwater by 2020.
• Green Cover Loss: Forest Report 2019 reveals that only 24.56% of India's land is covered in forests, quite short of the 33% goal.
• Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities are much hotter, aggravating heatwaves and air pollution.

Health and Demographic Concerns

• NFHS-5 Health Data: Urban children face higher stunting (27.2%) and obesity (22.3%) than rural peers.
• Ageing Population in Urban Centres: Leads to labour shortages and demographic imbalance.
• Mental Health & Lifestyle Diseases: Stress, non-communicable diseases, and sedentary lifestyle patterns prevail.

Remedies for Urban Issues

Sustainable Urban Planning

• Implementing Smart Cities Mission: E.g., Bhopal Smart City’s eco-friendly transport.
• Integrated Land Use and Infrastructure Planning to ensure balanced development.

Improved Public Transport

• Expansion of Delhi Metro, Mumbai suburban rail, Bangalore’s Namma Metro reduces congestion.
• Promoting non-motorised transport like cycling, walking.

Affordable Housing & Rent Control

• Model Tenancy Act 2021: Promotes balanced landlord-tenant agreements.
• Revise outdated Rent Control Acts to promote housing investments.

Environmental Restoration

• Tree Transplantation Policy, Haritha Haram, and Miyawaki model afforestation.
• Clean Air and Swachh Bharat Mission to reduce air and waste pollution.

Water Management

• Address urban water crisis via rainwater harvesting, reuse, and conservation.
• Implement National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) for water-sewage improvements.

Important Points for Revision for UPSC Mains

Urbanisation remains a central theme in GS Paper-I and GS Paper-III. The following points offer key facts for quick revision:

⭐Urban population in India rose from 28% (2005-06) to 34% (2019-20) – NFHS-5

⭐17% of urban population lives in slums – Census 2011

⭐Unemployment in urban men: 8.7%, in women: 18.5% – NFHS-5

⭐Bangalore Metro, Delhi Metro, Mumbai rail system reduce congestion

⭐Water crisis: 21 Indian cities may run out of groundwater – NITI Aayog

⭐Air pollution: Over 80% of Indian cities have poor AQI – CPCB

⭐PURA Initiative fills rural-urban disparities with infrastructure

⭐Smart Cities Mission aims at 100 cities with inclusive growth

⭐Mysuru – India's first universal accessibility policy city

⭐Chennai – Barrier-free footpath initiatives, accessible transportation

⭐Indore – Barrier-free transport and one of the cleanest cities

⭐Over-urbanisation: Population outgrows infrastructure capacity

⭐Urban Sprawl: Creates inefficient land use and wastage of resources

⭐Climate change: Heightens vulnerability to floods, droughts, and heatwaves

⭐Migration types: Urban-rural, rural-urban, intra-urban, circular

⭐Urban Continuum: No definite rural-urban boundary, lifestyle mix occurs

⭐Green cover: India has only 24.56% forest cover against the 33% target

⭐Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities are warmer owing to high-density infrastructure

⭐Vacant housing: Urbanization renders properties unoccupied

⭐Heritage for All (Puducherry): Inclusive urban planning for heritage

⭐Stress & Mental Illness: Consequence of lifestyle changes, overcrowding.

Constitutional and Legislative Framework

Constitutional Provisions

• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992): Empowered Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by adding the 12th Schedule, which lists 18 functions including planning, water supply, urban forestry, sanitation, etc.
• Article 243W: Provides powers, authority, and responsibilities to municipalities.
• Directive Principles (Article 39A): Emphasise social justice and equal opportunities in housing and infrastructure.
• Article 21: Interpreted to include the right to a clean, safe, and healthy urban environment.

Urban Laws

• Environment Protection Act, 1986 – Addresses pollution and urban environmental health.
• Street Vendors Act, 2014 – Legal protection for urban informal sector workers.
• Rent Control Acts – Need reform for better housing availability and tenant rights.

Government Initiatives and Policies

National Urban Policies and Missions

Urban Climate Resilience Projects

• CapaCITIES Project: Supports cities in low-carbon urban development (e.g., Coimbatore, Udaipur).
• National Electric Mobility Mission: Reduces vehicle pollution in cities.

Urbanisation Theories Relevant to UPSC

1. Rank-Size Rule

• Larger cities are fewer in number; population is inversely proportional to rank.
• Explains India’s uneven urbanisation, where a few cities like Mumbai, Delhi dominate.

2. Primate City Concept

• Overdominance of one city – e.g., Kolkata in West Bengal, Mumbai in Maharashtra.

3. Urban Transition Theory

• Links stages of economic growth with urban expansion, seen in India’s post-liberalisation period.

Contemporary Case Studies and Examples

• Indore: Ranked cleanest city under Swachh Survekshan. Uses public-private models for waste.
• Bangalore: Largest smart grid project (IOT-based utilities).
• Kochi: Water Metro for green mobility.
• Chandigarh: Low emissions urban transport and planned green spaces.

These examples are UPSC-friendly and demonstrate how urban planning is improving inclusivity and sustainability.

UPSC Mains PYQs on Urbanisation (GS Paper-I)

🎯 Discuss the problems of urbanisation in India. (2014, GS Paper I)
🎯 Urbanisation in India has been slower in comparison to Western countries. Examine. (2017, GS Paper I)
🎯 Describe the problems of slums in urban areas and suggest policy interventions. (2011, GS Paper I)
🎯 Discuss the Smart Cities Mission and its relevance in solving urbanisation challenges. (2020, GS Paper I)
🎯 Critically examine the consequences of unplanned urbanisation in India. (2013, GS Paper I)

Suggestions and Way Forward

1. Integrated Urban-Rural Planning
   • Promote urbanisation via PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).
   • Reduce migration pressure by decentralising economic hubs.
2. Urban Governance Reform
   • Empower Urban Local Bodies with financial and administrative autonomy.
   • Promote citizen participation via Ward Committees and E-Governance.
3. Sustainable Housing
   • Fast-track land acquisition and land pooling.
   • Promote vertical growth and use of pre-fabricated technologies.
4. Resilient Infrastructure
   • Cities must plan for climate-resilient infrastructure.
   • Prioritise blue-green infrastructure (urban wetlands, urban forests, etc.).
5. Digital Urban Management
   • GIS mapping, real-time surveillance, and AI-based traffic and waste systems.
   • Use big data for predicting migration patterns and housing needs.
6. Inclusive Urbanism
   • Prioritize gender-friendly, child-safe, and elderly-accessible infrastructure.
   • Encourage migrant, student, and low-income worker rental housing.
7. Fiscal Tools
   • Municipal bonds, congestion pricing, land value capture for financing cities.

Important Books on Urbanisation (UPSC Optional & GS Paper I)

Here are some of the most preferred books on Urbanisation.

This article offers a comprehensive overview of the Urbanisation Problems and Remedies for UPSC aspirants. Also, download the Testbook App from the Play Store to get more details and unlimited study materials for the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.