urbanisasyon

Urbanisasyon is the process by which a growing share of a population lives in urban areas, and when economic activity concentrates in cities and towns. It involves changes in settlement patterns, land use, and social structures as people migrate from rural areas and as urban economies expand. The term is widely used in Filipino planning and social science to describe how cities and metropolitan regions grow and influence broader society.

Its measurement relies on indicators such as the urban population share, urban growth rate, and urban density. Key drivers include the pursuit of employment and higher wages in urban areas, industrialization and service-sector development, better education and amenities, and infrastructure networks like roads and transit. Government policy, land markets, and globalization also shape urban expansion.

Urbanisasyon can raise productivity, innovation, and access to services such as healthcare and education. It also brings cultural exchange and differential economic opportunities. At the same time, it can strain housing, water, sanitation, and energy systems; generate traffic and air pollution; create informal settlements; and widen economic and social inequalities between urban and rural populations.

Governments respond with planning and policy measures that promote sustainable urbanization, such as integrated land-use planning, affordable housing, mass transit, resilient infrastructure, and effective local governance. International frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 call for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. Regional planning and decentralization can help manage growth and reduce urban pressures.