Sociology: Forum 11 - Population Growth, Urban Problems and Solutions

This discussion forum post examines the relationship between population growth and urban problems. The student addresses the impact of population growth on cities, highlighting issues such as housing shortages, infrastructure strain, traffic congestion, air pollution, and increased crime rates. The post also explores whether population growth is beneficial or detrimental to a city, emphasizing that sustainable population growth is key to ensuring adequate resources and a good standard of living for all residents. The assignment is a response to the prompt of the discussion forum. It analyzes the impact of population growth on cities. The assignment is a valuable resource for students seeking to understand the complexities of urban development and population dynamics.

Introduction to Sociology – Forum 11
Forum 11 – Growth and Decline: Your Own Hometown
OBJECTIVE
 List problems resulting from overpopulation
 Discuss urban sprawl and common urban problems
 Compare evolution of various cities and their populations
DISCUSSION OVERVIEW
This discussion forum explores trends in world population growth, common urban growth problems, and allows
you to evaluate your own city.
Step 1 Do your outside research.
Step 2Write a post answering following questions.
 What do you think is the connection between population growth and urban problems?
A high rate of population growth in cities is attributed to urbanization leading to migration of people from rural to
urban areas thereby increasing the concentration of humans in densely populated cities. This rapid population
growth in cities often leads to varieties of urban problems. More people require more dwelling units in the cities
which usually have limited infrastructure for bustling population leading to acute shortage of houses. The housing
rent goes up. People often compete to get access to basic amenities like power supply, water and food. There is
high rate of unemployment and poverty leading to poor sanitation. People in lower income groups who cannot
afford houses are forced to live in illegal settlements leading to creation of slums and overcrowding.
More number of vehicles plying on roads leads to traffic congestions. Due to more vehicles on roads there occurs
air pollution and quality of air deteriorates. More number of patients requiring medical attention leads to crowding
of hospitals and long queues. With rapid population the crime rates also take a toll if not kept in check.
 Is population growth good or bad for the city? Justify your position.
Population growth within limits is not bad; however, if grown beyond limits poses problems for the city. Cities
usually have limited resources and infrastructure to support day to day life. The number of people using those
resources and infrastructure puts pressure on them which leads to urban problems like slums, traffic congestion,
air pollution, overcrowding, unemployment etc. The cities can only prosper if there is sustainable population
growth. The amenities and services required by people should be adequate to support them which will ensure a
good standard of living to all the residents of cities.