The impact of urbanization in Taiwan
1. Introduction
In recent years, the concept of “urbanization” has become increasingly popular in Taiwan. At its broadest, urbanization can be defined as the process by which cities grow and develop. In practice, however, the term is often used to refer specifically to the growth of large cities and the consequent increase in the proportion of the population that lives in urban areas. Taiwan is an island country located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. It has a population of around 23 million people and an area of 36,000 square kilometers. Taiwanese urbanization has been rapid and extensive in recent years, resulting in a significant increase in the proportion of the population that lives in urban areas. As of 2014, around 70% of the population resided in urban areas, up from just over 50% in 1980.
2. The impact of urbanization on rural areas
The rapid urbanization of Taiwan has had a profound impact on rural areas. One of the most obvious impacts is that many rural residents have moved to cities in search of better economic opportunities. This has led to a significant decline in the population of rural areas and a corresponding increase in the population of urban areas. The decline in the rural population has had a number of consequences, including the closure of schools and businesses and a decrease in the availability of public services. Moreover, it has made it more difficult for farmers to find workers, as many young people now prefer to work in cities rather than in rural areas.
The decline of the rural population has also had an impact on agriculture. In particular, it has made it more difficult for farmers to find workers to help them with their work. This has led to a decline in agricultural production, as farmers are unable to produce as much food as they could when there were more people living in rural areas. Moreover, the decline in agricultural production has made it more difficult for farmers to make a living, as they are now competing with imported food products that are often cheaper than locally produced ones.
3. The impact of urbanization on the urban population
Urbanization has also had a significant impact on the urban population. One of the most notable impacts is that it has led to an increase in traffic congestion and pollution. This is due to the fact that more people are now living in cities and using cars as their primary means of transportation. The increase in traffic has made it more difficult for people to get around cities and has led to longer commute times. Moreover, it has resulted in an increase Air pollution levels have also increased as a result of urbanization, as more cars emitting exhaust fumes clog up city streets.
Another significant impact of urbanization is that it has led to an increase in housing prices. This is due to the fact that demand for housing has increased as more people have moved to cities. However, supply has not increased at the same rate, leading to a situation where housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many people. In some cases, this has resulted in an increase in homelessness, as people are unable to afford rent or buy property outright.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that Taiwan’s rapid urbanization has had both positive and negative impacts on different groups within society. On one hand, urbanization has created new economic opportunities for many people and has led to an overall increase in