Urbanization refers to the shift of population from rural areas to cities or towns according to the Encarta Encyclopaedia. In Jamaica today, urbanization is a constant process for persons to move from one area to the next without hesitation compared to the previous generations. Urbanization has seen a significant increase over the years because of persons pursuing a better standard of living. People move because of the economic situation of the country which results in the need to find better jobs, the environmental effects and last but not least crime and violence. I think that urbanization is necessary for the improvement of one’s life.
According to G. Nicolas, the financial crisis of the country plays a vital rule in urbanization, with higher demands for goods and services manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers tend to increase the cost of goods and services trying to make a profit for their business. Persons who are working sometimes tend to have a hard time of finding the money to acquire these high pricing goods and services to satisfy their needs. In spite of the high pricing of goods and services; with an increase in the population, getting a job becomes much harder especially if a person has no qualifications and applies for a job, then a more qualified person applies for the same job, the qualified persons is more than likely to get hired over the unqualified persons. In most cases rapid population growth in urban areas gives rise to poverty in such a way that when overpopulation occurs, jobs might be limited in that area and increasing social problems associated with unemployment and underemployment.
According to the Encarta Encyclopaedia, urbanization also contributes to environmental issues in various ways as it relates to overpopulation. It may lead to pollution such as noise pollution in such a way that when potential health effects of noise pollution are numerous, pervasive, persistent, and medically and
References: Nicholas, G. (May 2003). “Structure and development of Kingston, Jamaica” Retrieved October 17, 2009.http://www.smartyoung.com/cities/Kingston/urbanization problems.htm Dear, Michael J. (2000). “The Encarta Encyclopaedia” Retrieved October 18, 2009. http://Encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/searchdeatil.aspx?q=urbanization&pg=1&grp=ans