Continued. . .
Another
common misconception the report debunks is that the
majority of urban growth is occurring in mega-cities (those
with 10 million or more people). The truth is that smaller cities --
those with
less than 500,000 inhabitants -- contain more than half the world's
urban
population and will continue to absorb the majority of urban growth in
the
future.
This is good news, says UNFPA, because smaller cities usually have
greater flexibility
to expand, ability to attract investments, and decision-making
autonomy.
Camel riders
approach Cairo, Egypt, from across the desert. ©
Ian Berry/Magnum Photos |
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The
bad news, however, is that smaller cities generally have more
unaddressed
issues and may have problems with housing, drinking water, sanitation,
waste
disposal, and other public services.
UNFPA's report is hopeful that, once political leaders better
understand these
characteristics of urbanization, its benefits can be maximized and
negative
consequences reduced.
U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is also optimistic. "The
world's
cities are places of hope," she said at the press release. "The
possibilities are there, and that is what we should focus on for the
future."
In cities, vast inequalities remain, Maloney said, citing particularly
the area
of reproductive health. "There are huge gaps in access between the
wealthy
and the poor, and we must reverse this trend."
|
Improving access to reproductive health would help slow the growth of
cities,
the UN report says, adding that "natural increase" -- the difference
between births and deaths -- is the main cause of urban growth.
Worldwide, many lawmakers believe rural
to urban migration is the main cause for city growth and
mistakenly focus
on preventing this. A better approach to slow urban growth -- and buy
time to
prepare for the expansion of urban populations -- would be to focus on
lowering
unwanted unwanted
fertility, says UNFPA.
Empowering women and ensuring better
access to health services could help achieve this goal, the UN agency
says.
Finally,
the misconception that the poor are a drain on the
economy
is false, the UN says. On the contrary, the urban poor are
increasingly recognized as being essential to the economy of cities and
to national development.
| The
UN's report warns agains measures
that try to curb urbanizatione, as these can make both urban and rural
poverty worse because they attempt to contravene economic realities.
"Workers
need the opportunities cities offer, and cities need workers,"
the UNFPA report states, adding that millions of migrants move to
cities each year because they intuitively perceive the advantages of
urban life.
Overall, urbanization has the potential to
be a positive force
economically, socially, and environmentally, the report's lead author
Martine said.
"The
vast urban expansion in developing countries has global
implications and requires a global response," he explained. "The train
is in motion and together we have to make sure we are on the right
track.
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The intensity of urbanization can clash
with age-old customs and traditions. The traffic dodges a cow, while
street vendors vie with modern shops in this busy Mumbai, India,
intersection.©
Martin Roemers/Panos Pictures |
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