【明報專訊】Urbanisation is the ongoing process in which population in countryside moves to towns thanks to changes to production modes. As the global population continues to grow, the process of urbanisation is speeding up, leading to a huge increase of "megacities", i.e. cities with a population of more than ten million. A series of social, economic and environmental changes and problems have arisen as a result.

North East New Territories development plan

According to the Census and Statistics Department's estimate, Hong Kong's population will reach a height of 8.22 million in 2043. The government, which forecasted in 2013 that the demand for flats would reach 470,000 units within ten years, pushed ahead with the North East New Territories development plan, which has been vigorously opposed by residents and environmentalists. Residents are worried that urbanisation will force them to give up their existing living and economic modes, while social activists bemoan the fact that "Central values(中環價值)" have become the only standard for Hong Kong's development.

Urban heat island effect

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) published the World Urbanisation Prospects in July 2014, reporting that the number of megacities(特大城市) had increased from 10 in 1990 to 28 in 2014, housing 453 million people. It is expected that the number will increase to 41 in 2030.

While urbanisation helps promote the local economy and local development, crowded architecture absorbs heat and is disadvantageous to the dissipation of heat. The accumulation of pollutants in the air also makes it slower for heat to dissipate through radiation, contributing to the "urban heat island effect".

Adverse effects on health

The overconcentration of a city's population, industries and transportation system poses an adverse effect on one's physical and mental health. Overcrowding also increases the risks of the spread of diseases. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of tuberculosis (結核病) is higher in big cities than in the country. New York had an incidence of the diseases four times that of the national average. Furthermore, the lack of public and leisure facilities makes it easier for city-dwellers to feel mental stress, which is detrimental to their wellbeing.

Discrepancy between town and country × Social stability

Since the reform and opening up policy (改革開放政策) was implemented, China has undergone years of rapid urbanisation. The influx of people is causing unprecedented social problems to Chinese towns. Most regular dwellers in new towns are not registered citizens. They have been discriminated against for a long time, and have been unable to enjoy public services. This leads to problems with housing, social education and education of children. In late 2016, a reform of the register system was unveiled in 30 provinces and cities. The reform included the abolishment of the distinction between agricultural and non-agricultural households and the lowering of the threshold of getting registered.

Related concepts:

．arable land

．sustainability

．rural-urban migration

[通通識 第482期]