Rural to Urban Migration: Positive or Negative Development

In most parts of the world, rural populations are decreasing as people move to urban areas. This essay will explain why that could be perceived as either positive or negative, depending on one’s perspective. Suggested change: Proponents argue thatProponents argue that1The positive perspective says that urban areas offer Suggested change: higher living standardshigher living standards2better standards of living and allow for better management of populations. When people are concentrated in a single area, Suggested change: they can readily accessthey can readily access3that means they can be provided access to food, healthcare, education, and other essential Suggested change: servicesservices4parts of life. Governments can more effectively provide for them and people can find more opportunities whilst participating easily in their nation’s economy. Meanwhile, the countryside can be returned to nature or used for responsible agriculture. With people Suggested change: occupying less landoccupying less land5taking up less space, the environment could be allowed to thrive once again. On the other hand, when people live in the countryside, they have more space and access to a better environment. People living in such areas tend to have Suggested change: a superior quality of lifea superior quality of life6better lives because of the clean air, outdoor activities, and proximity to nature. Living in the countryside means people can have gardens and Suggested change: more spacious dwellingsmore spacious dwellings7bigger homes, whilst they are Suggested change: fartherfarther8father away from pollution, traffic, and noise. The atmosphere tends to be more peaceful and people seem happier in Suggested change: such areas; conversely,such areas; conversely,9such places, while cities can be unpleasant, oppressive places that Suggested change: diminish overall well-beingdiminish overall well-being10stifle human nature and cause mental and physical health problems. In conclusion, there are good arguments for both sides of this debate. Personally, I think that they are more or less balanced. It really depends on whether you believe that humans should pursue personal freedom and health or Suggested change: prioritize ecological conservationprioritize ecological conservation11put the Earth first and live in more easily governable societies.