Urbanization is the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change. It can also mean population growth in urban areas instead of rural ones.
In his 2009 book Whole Earth Discipline, Stewart Brand argues that the effects of urbanization are primarily positive for the environment. First, the birth rate of new urban dwellers falls immediately to replacement rate and keeps falling, reducing environmental stresses caused by population growth. Secondly, emigration from rural areas reduces destructive subsistence farming techniques, such as improperly implemented slash-and-burn agriculture.
However, existing infrastructure and city planning practices are not sustainable. In July 2013, a report issued by the United Nations warned that with 2.4 billion more people by 2050, the amount of food produced will have to increase by 70%, straining food resources, especially in countries already facing food insecurity due to changing environmental conditions. The mix of changing environmental conditions and the growing population of urban regions, according to UN experts, will strain basic sanitation systems and health care, and potentially cause a humanitarian and environmental disaster.
Rapid urbanization has led to increased mortality from non-communicable diseases associated with lifestyle, including cancer and heart disease. Residents in poor urban areas such as slums and informal settlements suffer disproportionately from disease, injury, premature death, and the combination of ill-health and poverty entrenches disadvantage over time.
Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage?
A. The author presents a commonly accepted definition, then explores different viewpoints on it, concluding with an endorsement of one perspective.
B. The author introduces a phenomenon, presents an optimistic perspective on it, and then contrasts it with evidence of potential challenges and drawbacks.
C. The author begins with a description of urbanization, followed by a discussion of its positive effects, and concludes by dismissing the idea that it poses serious challenges.
D. The author describes urbanization and offers an extended argument focusing on its detrimental effects, only briefly mentioning opposing views.
E. The author opens with a theoretical definition, compares the effects of urbanization across regions, and ends by proposing potential solutions to mitigate its negative impact.