EFFECTS OF FAST RATE OF POPULATION AND URBAN GROWTH ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Urban growth is the increase in the number of people living in urban areas. It is a global phenomenon that is driven by a number of factors, including economic growth, industrialization, and climate change.

Urban growth can have a number of positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, it can lead to economic growth, job creation, and improved infrastructure. On the other hand, it can also lead to congestion, pollution, and social problems.

A fast rate of population growth is a situation where the population of a country or region is increasing at a rapid pace. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• High birth rates: If the number of births in a country or region is significantly higher than the number of deaths, then the population will grow rapidly.
• Low death rates: If the number of deaths in a country or region is significantly lower than the number of births, then the population will also grow rapidly.
• Inflow of migrants: If a country or region experiences a large influx of migrants, then the population will also grow rapidly.

The population can be higher in particular areas due to the availability of social services, (food, shelter, hospital), good economic activities, agriculture, trade, good infrastructure, climatic condition.

When the population is high, it can cause the following effect on the environment.

EFFECT OF FAST RATE POPULATION AND URBAN GROWTH ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Soil erosion

This is because when the population grows high, it leads to expansion of settlement and residence because they will need to build houses which involves digging the land for setting the foundation of the houses.

Deforestation

when the population is higher it leads to the expansion of settlement and residence. That people will cut trees in order to create space and for building.

Loss of biodiversity

This is due to risky human activities that endanger the life of living organisms for instance using chemicals in agriculture and fishing and deforestation also causes biodiversity.

Desertification

this is a condition where the land is bare that it allows the sun to heat directly on the land since there is no land cover’

Air pollution

since the number of people increasing on the environment improve industrialization. That will produce a large amount of gases.

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