What are the environmental problems resulting from rapid urbanisation and
industrialisation in poorer parts of the world and how can they be managed?
Urbanisation – (you write this definition it’s revision!)
Industrialisation – a process in which an increasing proportion of the population are employed in the manufacturing
sector of the economy.
Rapidly expanding cities lead to problems
1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Disposal of waste
You should read this in conjunction with
page 162/3 in your text.
Non-existent or poor regulations and a lack of planning for environmental emergencies make problems worse.
Examples of problems and how they can be managed:
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution from industry.
In Bhopal, India in 1984 poisonous gas escaped from a chemical plant and killed 3000 people. Unofficial estimates
put the death toll as high as 10 000. Around 50 000 people suffered permanent disabilities and more died later,
some people say the problems continue to the present day.
In Shanghai, the building industry is creating 30000 tonnes of waste per day. Industry there is responsible for 70% of
carbon dioxide emissions. 73% of electricity is produced by coal fired powerstations. These factors are responsible
for 400 000 deaths annually.
Is there a solution? In Bhopal, the site of the factory was covered in toxic waste. This could not be disposed of safely
in India. It was packed up and sent to the USA so it could be disposed of safely. Large companies need to take
responsibility for their actions and follow safe procedures. Less developed countries find it difficult to afford to
employ people to monitor factories. Shanghai uses low sulphur coal to try to reduce pollution... which is not always
effective.
Air pollution from traffic congestion
Even though there are lower rates of car ownership in LEDC cities traffic congestion is often more acute than in
MEDCs. Motorised transport often has to compete for space with pedestrians, rickshaws, scooters, donkeys or any
other animal! Many vehicles are old and have inefficient exhaust systems which leads to high levels of air
pollution(smog) and health risks – asthma and bronchitis in particular. Vehicles may also run on low grade petrol
which creates more air pollution. (see page 162)
Is there a solution? In Mexico City they have a strategy where odd-numbered cars are allowed into the city on one
day and even-numbered on another. In Rio de Janeiro – the subway system has two lines with 26 trains. There are 49
bus companies. The Yellow Line expressway contains viaducts, bridges, pedestrian overpasses and tunnels to ease
congestion and speed up traffic.
Water Pollution
Untreated sewage washes straight into rivers and run off from industries is often unregulated too. Rubbish is also
dumped straight into rivers and seas, or washes into them as it is left uncollected on the land.
For example Shanghai’s Huangpu river in China has seen water quality fall as 4 million cubic metres of untreated
human waste enters it daily!
Is there a solution?
India introduced a River Ganges Action Plan, introducing water treatment plants but the increasing population has
put pressure on the system. China has received a World Bank loan of $200 million to improve the water quality of
Shanghai’s rivers. Rio de Janeiro – 4km of new sewage pipes have been installed around the Lagoa Rodrigo so that
sewage is taken away and processed. Rivers and channels into the lake are also being dredged at a cost of $2
million. Rubbish collection is expensive to organise. In Cairo the Zabbaleen are a community of people who collect
and sort the city’s waste by hand in order to earn a living. The Egyptian government have now recognised them as
official waste collectors and they have been given licences to operate.
Disposal of waste e.g. Electronic waste
India imports more than 4.5million computers a year, plus many second-hand ones with shorter lifespans. Computer
waste, or e-waste creates work! The poor scrape a living by breaking down PCs and monitors. They boil, crush or
burn parts in order to extract valuable materials like gold or platinum. This also releases toxic chemicals like
cadmium and this can pose serious health risks. India’s hospitals are starting to see patients with ten times the
expected level of lead in their blood.
Is there a solution? Greenpeace argues that high-tech companies that create the products should take responsibility
for the waste created and have recycling plants for products at the end of their lives.
Developing world governments need to have more people employed to ensure their laws for waste disposal are
enforced, but this is expensive.