India Ledc Urbanization Case Study

LEDC Urbanization Case Study: India (Delhi)

Introduction:

India's population stands currently at 1.1 billion and looks unlikely to stop growing. In the past decade India has witnessed a great economic resurgence; however along with it came an environmental degradation and large overpopulation, not to mention severe poverty and health issues. Delhi, in particular, is the sixth most populous metropolis in the world with a population of 15.3 million. Over the years Delhi has grown from a capital of several empires in ancient India to become India's most important modern city. It is in fact one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, however this brings many key problems, such as air and water pollution and traffic congestion.

Urbanization in LEDC's introduction:

Urbanization in MEDC's is a relatively gradual process, whereas urbanization in LEDC's is very rapid and quick. On a world scale, the proportion of population living in urban areas is growing more rapidly than ever before. LEDC's in Asia, Africa and Latin America are growing most swiftly. Between 1800 and 1850, the world's urban population grew on average by 22.5 percent, and between 1980 and 1990 it grew by 41.2 percent.

In LEDC's, increased population growth from rapidly lowered death rates, combined with slowly declining birth rates. This contributes to the urbanization process both as the cities grow and as the pressure of population in relation to the resources in rural areas increases - this forces people to migrate into cities.

Much of the rural change in LEDC's has been a shift towards higher capital input and higher technology. Because of this, fewer agricultural workers are needed and therefore many people go look for work in the cities. These LEDC countries aim to generate export revenues to meet their burden of dept to Western banks. These crops have been produced as cheaply as possible and on a large scale, so once again, fewer farmers are required.

LEDC's also import their manufactured goods from abroad, and as a result of this, their own traditional markets are destroyed. These traditional industries are unable to compete with the low-cost, mass production of their Western competitors. This way the traditional crafts industry disappears, and people in both the country and the city are displaced, left to search for better opportunities.

Media, especially the spread of television, has made millions of people in rural LEDC areas aware of the urban living standards and the possibility of obtaining such standards. In addition, news from people who have migrated to cities spreads information and ideas which reinforce the chain of migration.

India's and Delhi's Urban Growth:

India's urban