Urbanization is the natural result of increase in the urban population and also rural to urban immigration. Industrialization and commercialization are other factors that have caused the population to grow at its present rate. The main worry is the unplanned growth of towns, suburbs and settlements along the periphery of the big cities. These settlements are found along highways, rail lines etc. Due to lack of proper planning, these areas are devoid of basic amenities like water, electricity, sanitation, etc. ultimately these factors register their negative impact on the ecosystem of these areas as well.
While urbanization cannot be wished away, efforts must be made to make it organised so that the kind of urban mess that we are seeing today can be avoided. Comfort to the people in every sense of the word must be kept in mind while cities and towns are being planned. At the same time a system of regulating unchecked urbanisation must be devised. Shortage of clean drinking water, noise and air pollution, crime, traffic jams etc are just some of the problems that should be kept in mind and dealt with primarily.
ZERMINA QAYYUM,
Lahore, June 20.