EXPLORE THE IMPACTS OF URBANISATION IN BOTSWANA
URBANISATION – The percentage increase in the number of people living in towns and
cities.
DISCUSS THE CAUSES OF URBANISATION
1. SOCIO – ECONOMIC FACTORS
• Employment opportunities – urban areas offer a wide variety and better
paying jobs in the many industries and services as compared to the
limited jobs in the rural areas.
• Better access to services – Towns and cities provide better and improved
education [ more schools, colleges and universities], health care,
transportation and other social services. This attracts a lot of people who
want higher living standards and personal advancement.
• Higher living standards – Urban areas generally offer better housing,
sanitation, water supply and recreational facilities which are attractive to
people who want improved quality of life.
• Industrialisation – the growth of factories and different industries in urban
areas lead to job creation and infrastructure development hence
attracting workers from rural areas.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
• Natural disasters – Floods, droughts and soil degradation can destroy
livelihoods in rural areas leading to people migrating to towns and cities.
• Climate change – rising temperatures and water scarcity lead to reduced
agricultural productivity which results in rural residents abandoning
farming and seeking urban employment.
• Urban location advantages – Many towns and cities are developed in
geographically favourable areas such as near rivers, ports or resources
which support economic activity and attract migrants.
• Environmental degradation – Overuse of land and deforestation in rural
areas reduce agricultural activities hence pushing people towards cities.
3. POLITICAL FACTORS
• Government investment in urban areas – concentration of infrastructure,
better health care, education and business support in towns and cities
create a pull factor towards urban areas.
• Rural neglect – lack of investment in rural areas can leave residents with
poor services and limited opportunities hence driving them to cities.
ANALYSE THE IMPACTS OF URBANISATION
1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Economic growth – urbanization High unemployment – rapid urban
promotes industrialisation and population growth often leads to
innovation which leads to appositive increased unemployment.
economic development.
Shortage of housing – inadequate
Job creation – cities offer more housing leads to the growth of
employment opportunities across the informal settlements / squatter
many sectors like manufacturing, IT, settlements with poor living
service industries and construction. conditions.
Improved infrastructure and Increased cost of living – basic
services – urban areas have better services and housing in urban areas
transport systems, health care, are often more expensive, making it
education, water supply and difficult for low-income earners to
communication networks. meet their needs.
Increased social ills and high crime
rate – these are often due to lack of
employment opportunities due to the
influx of people into urban areas.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Efficient resource use – With proper High air and water pollution – traffic
planning, cities can promote shared congestion, industrial emissions and
infrastructure and developments. improper waste disposal contribute to
high levels of air and water pollution.
Environmental Awareness – Urban
populations may have better access Deforestation and loss of
to environmental education, biodiversity - urban expansion often
promoting green initiatives and leads to loss of forests, wetlands and
policies. agricultural land which negatively
affects ecosystems and wildlife.
Waste management challenges -
urban areas produce large volumes of
solid and liquid waste which often
cannot be managed.
Water scarcity and over
consumption – High population
density affects water supply.
Urban sprawl – unplanned expansion
of urban areas into the surrounding
rural land due to increased demand
for land as urban populations
increase.
Traffic congestion – as cities grow in
population and expand in area, the
demand for transportation and
infrastructure exceeds its capacity.
Urban heat island effect – the
concentration of buildings, roads, and
concrete surfaces in urban areas
causes temperatures to rise as
compared to the surrounding rural
areas.
NB: Urban sprawl is a major effect of urbanization in Botswana.
Causes
• Population growth and housing demand in the urban areas.
• Inadequate urban planning
• Availability of cheaper land on the outskirts of the cities
• Expansion of road networks which make the inner city more accessible
Impacts of urban sprawl
Positive Negative
High land value in the villages.
More affordable housing options outside Increased crime.
the city centre. Increased / high unemployment rate.
Larger living spaces. Expensive life for low-income earners.
Potential for new economic zones and job Increased pollution in the villages.
creation in the outskirts of the cities. Increased traffic congestion and longer
commutes.
Increased environmental degradation in
the outskirts of the city.
Poor service delivery.
What can the government do to reduce urban sprawl?
• Implement urban growth boundaries to separate urban areas from rural areas.
• Encourage construction of high-rise buildings which occupy less land space.
• Restrict / ban development of land in the urban fringes.
• Make policies that encourage agricultural activities on the outskirts of the cities.
• Direct developments and upgrading of the inner city where there is a higher
density of people.
SUGGEST STRATEGIES OR ADDRESSING CHALLENGES OF URBANISATION
1. Sustainable urban planning
• Promote high-density, mixed-use development to reduce sprawl.
• Urban renewal and upgrading to rehabilitate decaying urban areas and
upgrade informal settlements with proper housing and infrastructure.
2. Provide affordable housing
• Work with private developers to build low cost and affordable houses.
• Control rent prices by regulating the prices to protect low-income
earners.
3. Provide safer and efficient transportation
• Expand public transport by investing in buses, trains and subways to
reduce traffic congestion.
• Develop non-motorized infrastructure by developing safe walking and
cycling paths to promote sustainable commuting.
• Implement intelligent traffic systems and enforce road safety rules to
ease congestion.
4. Implement sustainable environmental strategies
• Green infrastructure by creating parks, urban forests and green roofs to
improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Establish efficient waste recycling programs and regular waste collection.
• Promote rainwater harvesting, use of solar power and energy efficient
buildings.
5. Creation of job opportunities and economic inclusion
• Legalize and regulate informal businesses to provide income and social
security to urban dwellers.
• Invest in skill development and promote industries that absorb large
number of workers.
• Provide financial help, training and markets for small and medium scale
enterprises.
