Theories of Urbanization

THEORIES OF URBANIZATION
Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural to urban residency, the
gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas, and the ways
in which each society adapts to this change. Urbanization is an irreversible
process. Urban region or city had first been noted in the Indus valley
civilization in the middle of the 3rd millennium BC 116 in India. Hence one can
say that there are several urban theories and some of which go back to the
time of initial civilization. Most urban theories are derived ones some of which
are:
1. Suburbanization
2. The dependency theory
3. Theory of spatial disparities
4. Migration theories
a) Buffer’s theory of migration
b) Stouffer’s law of intervening opportunities
c) Migration theory of neo-classical economists
d) Push and pull theories of migration
e) Urban bias theory
5. Lewis two sector model
6. Concentric zone theory
7. Bid rent theory
8. Modern theory of urbanization
9. Theory of evolutionary ladder of development
10. Writh’s essay on “Urbanization: A typology of Changes”
1. Suburbanization
Suburbanization means “beyond the city” thus it refers to peripheral areas of
large cities around the world. As cities grow, it expands towards outskirt areas
and thus peripheral or suburban areas develop and grow. Cities expand
towards peripheral area due to high density, increasing urban land price,
pollution and well developed transport and communication facilities. It is the
responsibility of urban government to provide basic amenities in these areas as
these suburban areas may not necessarily have a separate political unit.
2. Dependency Theory
The dependency theory argues that urban regions could establish expand and
develop only if agriculture is well developed. The developing countries are
sources of input for developed countries. Hence developing countries receive
larger foreign investment in agriculture as well as non-agricultural sectors.
Developed agriculture pushed rural farmer and labourer while developing
industries attract labourer due to large employment scope in urban areas.
3. Theory of Spatial Disparities

Spatial disparities theory states that disparities are created due to variation in
geographically advantaged and disadvantaged regions, political importance of
a city, economically favorable policies etc. Spatial forms divided the society.
The problem of spatial disparities further leads to migration which creates
pressure on urban amenities.
4. Migration Theories
Migration can be both a problem and a solution for various urban regions.
There are several migration theories, some of them are discussed below.
a) Buffer Theory of Migration

Buffer theory of migration stated that “the workers who are imported on
temporary base due to creation of short fall of labourer will return” However,
it is not appropriate to make such assumption that labourer will go back.
Migration cannot applicable always as adjustment mechanism. Hence, the
Buffer’s migration law is not practical.
b) Stouffer’s Law of Intervening Opportunities

It states that “The number of persons going a given distance is directly
proportional to the number of opportunities at that distance and inversely
proportional to the number of intervening opportunities”. Stouffer explained
that between the final destination and departure place if there are good
opportunities them the migrant will settle down in between rather than their
planned final destination. Stouffer argues that the volume of migration had
less to do with distance and population than with the availability of
opportunities in each location.
c) Migration Theory of Neo-Classical Economists

Neo- Classical economist argues that the main reason for labour migration is
wage difference between two geographic locations. These wage difference are
usually due to labour demand and supply in specific geography.
d) Push and Pull Factors Theory
The push and pull theory is based on various push and pull factors. Push
factors are those things/ factors which are unfavorable about the specific area
that one lives in and hence push them to move away from that particular area.
Pull factors are those things that attract one to another area due to various
reasons. Push factors can be less of employment opportunities, natural
disaster, war, pollution, poor, housing etc. and pull factors can be better
employment opportunities, better living conditions, healthy environment etc.
e) Urban Bias Theory

It is emphasizing on political perspective of urban regions. This theory argues
that government policies favour the urban regions. While the amenities are
provided on a larger scale in urban areas but the larger proportion of the
population is found in rural areas of a country. Hence, there is migration from
rural to urban areas.
5. Lewis Two Sector Model

Industrialization with the support of specialization supports urbanization
process. Lewis presents two sector model of development with high
productivity of modern urban industrial sectors. Lewis assumes that abundant
labourer in agriculture can be absorbed in labour scarce industrial units.
However agricultural migrants cannot always support and help these industries
to grow. Hence the major limitation of Lewis model is the assumption that
rural and agricultural labourer are having skills and ability to get employment
in urban industries.
6. Concentric Zone Theory

Ernest Burgess with Chicago sociologist Robert Park put forward concentric
zone theory of urbanization
7. The Bid Rent Theory

The Bid Rent Theory (BRT) theory is theory of geographical economy. It is
based on geographical location rather than productivity of land. It refers to
price and demand for real estate. The BRT explained that different land users
would compete with one another for land close to the city centre. This theory
is based upon the reasoning that the more is the accessible area (i.e. the
greater the concentration of customers). It is higher the chance of earning
more profit. Hence, to have land in inner city or central business district land
users are willing to pay high price. This price of land paid by various users is
known as “Bid Rent”.
The above graph clearly indicates that commercial sectors are ready to pay
higher rent so that they can establish near central business district as it is more
accessible to larger population. Industry prefers next outer ring where rent is
comparably low and still easily connected with commercial sector and with
market. Residents and residential areas can be away from central business
district. They can be in the outer most ring or peripheral areas. Bid rent and
concentric zone theory assumed that inner city is wealthy and peripheral area
is poorer. However, many cities around the world indicate the trend which is
otherwise.
8. Modern Theory of Urbanization

Modern theory was developed in the mid 20th century. It presented an idea
that economic development is possible only if industries develop and expand
by the introduction and use of advanced methods of production and use of
modern technologies. According to modern school, the view which is shared by
the classical economist, there cannot be urbanization without
industrialization.
9. Theory of Evolutionary Ladder of Development

To understand stages of urbanization, Walter Rostow’s evolutionary ladder of
development and Warren Thomas demographic transaction can be combined
and presented as:
a) Traditional Society (Pre-modern)
b) Pre-take off (Industrialization / Transitional)
c) Take off stage (Mature industrial / Industrial)
d) Stage of Maturity (Post industrial)
e) High Mass Consumption
In the first and second stage, society is a traditional one. Larger proportion of
population lives in rural areas. Third stage is ‘take off’ stage modern and new
technologies are employed by industries to increase production.
Manufacturing becomes important. This changes and growth however is
concentrated in few regions only. Demographically, in this stage the death rate
falls and birth rate still remains high. In terms of urbanization, a large
proportion of population migrates to areas where manufacturing activities are
concentrated for employment.
The fourth stage ‘drive to maturity’ in this stage there is spread of technology
into all parts of the economy. The demographic transition associated with the
stage sees declined death rates, while birth rates drop at a faster than death
rates. Urbanization at this point continues to progress since more and more
people move to urban centers for jobs.
The final stage is known as ‘high mass consumption’ and is characterized by
the economy forcing on durable consumer goods like car instead of production
of heavy industries like heavy machines with high personal incomes. Focus is
no durable economic activities rate than basic need. The final stage of
demography indicates negative or zero population growth. At this point,
urbanization begins to level off because at this stage countries experience
development that has reached 80% urban population mark.
10. Writh’s Essay on Urbanism as a Way of Life

Louis Writh’s in his essay “Urbanism as a way of life” emphasis as that
urbanism is a matter of physical residence and urbanization is a social
phenomenon. Moreover, Writh also questions the most common indicator
adopted for the measurement of urbanization around the world i.e. population
numbers.

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THEORIES OF URBANIZATION

3. Theory of Spatial Disparities

a) Buffer Theory of Migration

b) Stouffer’s Law of Intervening Opportunities

c) Migration Theory of Neo-Classical Economists

e) Urban Bias Theory

5. Lewis Two Sector Model

6. Concentric Zone Theory

7. The Bid Rent Theory

8. Modern Theory of Urbanization

9. Theory of Evolutionary Ladder of Development

10. Writh’s Essay on Urbanism as a Way of Life

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