There are numbers of theories on causes of urbanization within different disciplines. There are also various listings on generic drivers combining multitude of these findings. I am now looking for a drivers list that has sound references to relevant theories yet provides a notion on (systemic) relationship between these drivers.
In me mind, сause of urbanization - the desire of mankind to reduce the overhead of socially necessary time. Urban lifestyle with refrigerators, microwave ovens, washing machines can free up a lot of time to the population and to redirect it to other needs.
But ultimately everything is based on the economic law of the need to improve productivity. The need to increase the productivity of labor - the condition of human survival.
http://biblioclub.ru/index.php?page=book_red&id=271889&sr=1
It is not just agglomeration economies (efficiencies associated with close proximity). It is also problems in the hinterland. For example, some hundreds of years ago, cities were often the best way to provide for defense and offense. Walled cities were often found at a bend in a river. This facilitates extracting tribute from commercial river traffic and a safe place to retreat if an outsider army came through the neighborhood. At the same time, locating in a rural area would be an invitation to be robbed.
When peace reigns, farmers can move away from cities to reap harvests from larger plots of land. Little cities, like market centers, can arise.
In the modern world, cities are often located at transshipment points (like ports) and thrive at centers of transportation and communication. While back in the rural areas, technology drives farmers off farms, because there are just too many farmers given the increased productivity of farmers.
The main and constant drivers of urbanization are the following:
- National and regional economic development
- Demographic growth
- Increase of personal income
Article The population dynamics behind sprawl /
Article Urban Sprawl Measurement from Remote Sensing Data
Book Urban sprawl in Europe. Joint EEA-FOEN report.
There are different major drivers for urbanization depending on what type of city you are talking about. For example, most cities in USA are driven by market forces. Many cities in China were built for military purpose or governance in ancient history. So, you need to analyze the divers for different types of cities at different times.
FD
Hi,
in my opinion drivers for urbanization are changing according to the urban shrinkage on the one hand and the regeneration processes on the other.
May I suggest the following paper?
Madanipour, Ali. "Social exclusion and space." The city reader 3 (2011).
The drivers are different according to each country and region
Most important is the demographic driver including internal and external migration
Economic driver including industry and its impact on the local and regional levels
The governance is very significant as its responsible of policies at national state decision making process.