Urbanization and Physical Development.

Abstract

Urbanization is a continuous, universal and inevitable process of physical development. Since 1950, urbanization has become a worldwide phenomenon (UN-Habitat, 2010; 2011, UNDESA, 2014; 2015). The demographic and spatial attributes of the worldhave held most academician fascinated because of urbanization (Sebego and Gwebu, 2013). Rapid growth of world population and its agglomeration in cities and towns around the world is affecting the phase of the world (UN­ Habitat, 2001). Considering the increasing world population, Idowu and Olaniyan (2009) admitted the changing phases of urban settlements, as most semi-urban areas and medium-sized towns have been turned into full urban town. Conversely, urbanization has a huge effect on physical development; which in turns translated into stressful urban dynamics, with rapid development of informal households. The state of physical environment, particularly, in urban centres is a major source of global concern, as the increasing demand for basic utilities can be traced to the high urban population. In an attempt to create a liveable environment, modification of urban land, in terms of physical development, becomes the order of the day. This chapter is divided into five sections. The dawn of an urban world was discussed in the first section, urbanization in Africa in the second section; the concept of physical development and urban growth, the third; physical planning and development: panacea to urban sprawl, the fouth; and sustainable physical development, the fifth section.