Urbanization and

Migration

Week 9

Recap of previous lecture

Patterns and trends of SSA populationsFertility patternsMortality patternsMigration

SSA populationsA predominantly black raceThe poorest region of the world, and

contains of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) of the world

Fast unprecedented growth rateWorld’s fastest growing populationConcentration of population in countries and

geographical areas that are rich with natural resources or have better economic opportunities.

Distinguishing features of SSA populations• children (< 15 years) form 43% of the

population of SSA• the population of SSA aged 65+ years is

presently 3%• it has population momentum• implication on the need to provide health and

educational infrastructure and services for children and the young people

• High fertility• TFR ranges from 2 to 7 in the region• CBR is 39 per thousand population • Teenage pregnancy or early childbearing is hugely prevalent

General Mortality declines Infant, Child and Maternal Mortality - major health problems IMR in sSA 81 per thousand live births in 2010; 50 for all

LDCs; and 6 for MDCs.

URBANIZATION

•Worldwide , countries differ in the ways in which they classify their population as “urban” or “rural” (village).

• A population of 2000 or more people is considered urban.

•The cut-off point may be higher

• In Ghana , a population of 5000 or more is considered urban.

• Some countries consider availability of certain services and facilities when classifying.

See the United Nations Demographic Yearbook for country definitions

World Urbanization Prospects, The 2011 Revision

2013, World Population Data Sheet

WHAT IS URBANIZATION ?WHAT IS URBANIZATION ?

The increase in the proportion of the population residing in towns.

Global figures

Major disparities in the level of urbanization exist among development groups.

The proportion urban in the more developed regions was already nearly 54 per cent in 1950

Sub-Saharan Africa is the least urbanized region of the world.

That is, countries in Africa, other than those at the North, are the least urbanized in the world.

It will still take another decade for half of the population of the less developed regions to live in urban areas

The world urban population is expected to increase by 72 per cent by 2050, from 3.6 billion in 2011 to 6.3 billion in 2050.

By mid-century the world urban population will likely be the same size as the world’s total population was in 2002.

Virtually all of the expected growth in the world population will be concentrated in the urban areas of the less developed regions

This could be as a result of :

• Migration (particularly rural-urban migration).

• Natural population increase

• Reclassification of previous rural communities as urban as they experience population increase and change their character (Hinrichsen, Salem and Blackburn 2002: 6)

Sub-Saharan Africa is the least urbanized region of the world.

That is, countries in Africa, other than those at the North, are the least urbanized in the world.

Rate of urbanization is the percentage of population living in urban centers.

In 2004, the rate of urbanization in SSA was 31%.

• (LDC = 41%, MDC =76%)

In 2013, the rate of urbanization in SSA was 37%.

• (LDC = 28%, MDC =76%)

The rates of urbanization in SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (2005)

Large variations : 50% Southern Africa

36% West Africa 35% Central Africa 22 % East Africa

Least urbanized = Burundi (8%).

Most urbanized = South Africa(53%).

Large variations : 58% Southern Africa

45% West Africa 42% Central

Africa 24 % East Africa

Least urbanized = Burundi (11%).

Most urbanized = Gabon (86%).

The rates of urbanization in SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (2013)

Some MDCsSome MDCs Canada - 80 %

Belgium - 99 %

Denmark - 87 %

Iceland - 95 %

GHANA

Between 1984 and 2000 the Accra metropolis grew at a rate of 4% per annum

190,000 = 19571 million = 19841,658937 = 20004 million = 2020

Presently , 52 percent of all people living in towns or urban areas of the country .

• COASTAL TOWNS are most urbanized in SSA

Reasons for coastal town urbanizationReasons for coastal town urbanization

Pre-colonial trade with Europeans and Arab Merchants; ports to export of raw materials from other regions

Established plantations in the interior Railroads were built to connect the towns

After independence the trading continued because of export of goods

The establishment of capital towns and colonial administration

Contact with missionaries (Christian).

Other towns in the interior railways junctions along major rivers Near sources of valuable resources (mining towns –

J’burg, Tarkwa, Konongo, Obuasi

Other towns grew as trading activities became important following contact with European traders

Lagos and Salaga (trade posts)

ISSUES WITH URBANIZATION IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA

The lack of effective planning of cities

The lack of regulatory policy frameworks on city management

- housing, architecture, provision of play grounds, hospitals and schools, migration, industrial areas, noise levels, transportation etc.

Economies have not grown to be able to support urbanization;

job opportunities, efficiency (as against bureaucracy and red tapeism),

high income across board

low cost of living.

Inadequate social amenities; schools, health, water and electricity.

The lack of essential infrastructure to support the high numbers; good roads with street lights, good housing, sanitation, effective drainage system etc.

Growth of large cities

The growth of large cities and metropolitan areas has been one of the most remarkable demographic stories of past decades.

Cities of 10 million or more are often referred to as “mega-cities.”

In 1950, 117 million people lived in the top 30 metros but that number rose to 426 million by 2011.

In 1950, 19 of the top 30 cities were in industrialized countries. By 2011, that number had shrunk to eight.

In 1950, Delhi was not even in the top 30 but it is now second behind only Tokyo.

Such phenomenal growth is usually due to rural-urban migration as migrants seek a better life in cities.

CAUSES OF URBANIZATION PUSH-PULL THESIS

Circumstances at the place of origin PUSH – poverty, unemployment

Opportunities in urban areas - high standard of living or job opportunities - PULL

urban –biased development.

Employment opportunities

Educational options

Social infrastructure & Amenities

Modern lifestyles

Deteriorating agric land

Poor markets

Lack of banking facilities

FEATURES OF URBANIZATION

THE NEED FOR MONEY IS HIGHER IN URBAN CENTERS DUE TO ;

• Modern lifestyles and ways of doings

things.

• Healthcare.

• Education.

• Housing .

• Utilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Overcrowding.

• Sanitation.

• Flooding.

SOCIAL

• Crime

• Streetism

• Care

HEALTH

• Stress, sedentary lifestyles

• Non –communicable Diseases are higher in the cities than in the rural areas

• Pollution from vehicles, industries

• Globalization; dietary changes, risky behaviours

• Consumption of refined foods and vegetable oils is high

IMPLICATIONS OF (UNMANAGED) URBANIZATION

CRIME: The majority of criminal cases in Ghana has been recorded in Accra and in a survey conducted by the Center for Democracy and Development I 999, it was reported that 35.5 percent of there respondents indicated that they felt less safe “when walking bout alone”.

Prostitution Overcrowding and congestion Poor housing facilities Urban poverty. flooding due to insanitary conditions.