Urbanization and its consequence on the environment: Case studies from subSaharan Africa

Abstract

90% of future population growth will be accounted for by the large cities in the developing countries out of which Africa has experienced the highest urban growth during the last two decades at 3.5% per year and this rate of growth is expected to hold into 2050. Although the rate of urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa is slower (32.8%) compared to North Africa (47.8%), the situation is still worrisome in its consequences. The results of the various studies on urbanization indicated that migration and other related changes are the sources in developing countries. The fast rate of urbanization in developing world is attributed to rural–urban migration, economic growth and development, technological change, and rapid population growth.