Urbanization and Population Growth The Impact on China

Urbanization is defined as the process by which people and the amount of production in a particular rural area relocate to a city setting. Since China's reform in 1978, the country has experienced dramatic urbanization and economic growth. Consequently, with a population of approximately 1.3 billion, China is faced with many challenges, one of which is an extensive food shortage (Wen, Guoming...). Because China has such a rapidly growing population, cultivated land is decreasing considerably due to the development of many cities. In addition, China's water supply has also been affected, creating unforeseen conflicts in the agricultural industry. The expanding population is taking a toll on rural farmers and the quality of farmland, and the increase of urban population has caused negative changes in China's land due to an Urban Heat Island Effect (Jishe, He...). Currently, 100 million workers in rural China are unemployed, reeking havoc along the lines of poverty (Xie,Windy...) Numerous organizations are trying to stabilize many poor communities by providing food aid, but additional steps must be taken to ensure that the detrimental effects of urbanization and fast population growth will not cause permanent distress to the livelihood of millions. Research and education are exceptionally beneficial to many citizens and encourages different forms of urbanization. Although China's government has taken monumental steps towards ending poverty and reducing hunger, the remote areas of China are still suffering.