Urbanisation in First and Third World

Identification

A pull factor in urbanization is a positive attribute of city life that pulls people away from rural life into urban areas. Urbanization during the 19th and early 20th centuries contributed to the growth of urban centers in the U.S. Miami University in Ohio reported that a similar demographic trend is underway in the less-developed regions of the world. The university projected growth rates of 50 percent or higher by the year 2030 in cities in India, Pakistan and Indonesia. Pull factors fueling urbanization include economic opportunities, government policies and cultural factors associated with urban life.

Economic Opportunities

The Global Change website at the University of Michigan identifies economic opportunities as one of the biggest pull factors attracting people to cities from rural areas. From blue-collar manufacturing to white-collar professions, urban areas offer a broader range of employment opportunities than rural areas do, where most residents earn their living from agriculture and other sectors dependent on natural resource extraction. For immigrants, such as the millions who came to the United States from Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries, arrival in American cities like New York and Boston symbolized the chance for a new and better life.

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Government Policies

Public policy sometimes acts as a pull factor, favoring urban over rural areas. This is especially true of developing nations in Africa and Asia, as noted by Miami University. The governments of many developing countries often channel a larger share of their budgets toward improvements in cities, even though a majority of their citizens resides in rural areas. In addition, Miami University stated that governments often manipulate currency exchange rates and food prices to benefit the more politically influential urban populations.

Cultural Factors

A popular song from the World War I era asked listeners, "How you gonna keep them on the farm after they've seen Paree," implying that city life offers a glamour and excitement that rural life does not. For many people, cities mean diversity, cultural attractions, hip restaurants and exciting nightlife. All of these act as pull factors.