Urbanisation is associated with higher incomes, improved health, higher literacy and improved quality of life.
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, US: This is with reference to Ayesha Siddiqa’s article “Urbanisation in Pakistan and its consequences” (November 23). The writer ignores many benefits of rural to urban migration that the migrants accrue, including reduction in abject poverty, empowerment of women, increased access to healthcare and education and other services. Historically, cities have been the driving force in economic and social development. As centres of industry and commerce, cities have long been the focal point of wealth and power. They also account for a disproportionate share of national income. The World Bank estimates that in the developing world, as much as 80 per cent of future economic growth will occur in towns and cities.
In addition, the benefits of urbanisation are not solely economic. Urbanisation is associated with higher incomes, improved health, higher literacy and improved quality of life. Other benefits of urban life are less tangible but no less real: access to information, diversity, creativity and innovation among many other positive fallouts.
Riaz Haq
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2012.
