Explain with examples the ‘environmental problems’ of urban settlements of developing countries in the world.

The world has a variety of urban areas and with increasing population, urban areas are bearing the negative impacts of such growth. In developing countries like those of Asia and Africa, urban areas offer solution to rural unemployment and people migrate to the urban centres in large numbers. But this has led to extreme problems for many cities and towns (which are often unplanned) such as a lack of jobs, homelessness and expanding squatter settlements, inadequate services and infrastructure, poor health and educational services and high levels of pollution.

Rapid population increases and unplanned growth in the cities of developing countries create an urban sprawl with negative economic, social, and environmental consequences.

Environmental Consequences –

 High population in urban centres have led to high requirement of water resources which has led to depletion of the groundwater reserves in urban areas.

 Large quantity of sewerage is generated which adversely affect the environment as most developing countries do not have proper sewerage management techniques.

 Air pollution occurs because of the massive use of fuel for domestic and industrial purposes in urban areas.

 Urban areas often act as heat islands because of the massive concrete structures erected for residential and economic uses.