Answer to Question #238906 in English for Bee

Question

Discuss the impacts of urbanization on the African continent in terms of human settlements, employment and service delivery

Answer 1

Impact of urbanisation on the African continent in terms of

1. Human settlements

Urbanisation is a global trend reflecting the growing population of the world. The urban populations of African countries are currently increasing at a faster rate. Urbanisation results from a natural increase in the population and rural to urban migration. People migrate to towns and cities in hope of gaining a better standard of living. They are influenced by pull factors that attract them to urban life, and push factors that make them dissatisfied with rural living. Uncontrolled migration and rapid urban growth are associated with increasing urban poverty and inequality and rises in slum and squatter populations. These people usually have inadequate water supply and sanitation services.

2. Employment

With urbanization comes the creation of jobs. Urban employment opportunities provided include healthcare, business, and education. High urban migration also causes unemployment in the cities. Many youths are unemployed thereby engaging in crime and drug abuse.

3. Service delivery

For the last several decades, cities in Africa have been growing at historic rates. At the same time, since most of these cities are very poor, they have not been able to keep up with the need to provide the most essential services to the bulk of their people.

The government manages the urban services, which include transport, garbage disposal, housing, water supply, and street cleaning. The provision of such services became increasingly challenging due to the increase in the numbers of Africans living in seriously underserviced conditions.