Jinnah University For Women

Department : Media Studies

Course Title : Pakistan Studies

Course Code : PAK 1011

Assignment # 1

Topic : Urban & Rural Life

Group Members :

1) Amrah Shakeel
2) Sarah Salman
3) Tayyaba Zehra Zafar
 Urban And Rural Life
Abstract:  Quality of life is a
centralized issue no matter if it is
urban or rural. It changes with
one's requirements and
understanding the life. A few might
want to make a simple living with
basic requirements and are
contented with the way they live
and the things they do.

Such people prefer rural areas to

live in. While a few others want to make more money, wear
branded clothes, use advanced gadgets, ride good bikes and buy
cool cars and they find happiness in this kind of living.
Therefore, urban areas are comfortable for them to live in.

The idea is not to uplift or outcast rural or urban lifestyles of

living. It is about
approaching different
ways of thinking and
questioning which type of
living one would prefer.

Whatever the lifestyle

may be, basic
requirements are the
same for all. You live the
way you want to express
yourself the society. As you grow up, you learn from your
surroundings and carry those impressions throughout your
lifetime.
Introduction: 
Life in both rural and urban areas
has its own plus points and problems.

One is quite different from the other.

Swimming, fishing, playing games in
the field, running through the paddy
field, and drinking date juice in the
winter morning can only enjoy in the
village. These rare things are quietly
impossible to enjoy in rural life.

The morning environment in the

village is enjoyable. There are big
playgrounds in the village. On the other hand, the children cannot take
part well in various outdoor games due to the lack of playgrounds.
Grass, grasshoppers, birds, rivers, and ponds are part of life. On the
other hand, traffic jams, air pollution, road accident, polluted smoke
emerging from vehicles, mills, and factories, congested roads, and
loud sounds from vehicle horns are the daily part of rural life. People
can enjoy fresh air in the village but it is rare in urban or rural areas.

Rural or Urban, both types of living have their own struggles and
advantages. Based on the Population density, development,
convenience, job opportunities, education and others, Human
Settlement is Broadly Divided into Categories- Rural and Urban .
 Rural Life
In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located
outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and
small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are
described as rural. Different countries have varying definitions of rural for
statistical and administrative purposes. A rural society is a society in which
there is a low ratio of inhabitants to open land and in which the most
important economic activities are the production of foodstuffs, fibres, and
raw materials.

In rural areas, because of their unique economic and social dynamics,

and relationship to the land-based industry such
as agriculture, forestry and resource extraction, the economics are
very different from cities and can be subject to boom and bust cycles
and vulnerability to extreme weather or natural disasters, such
as droughts.

These dynamics alongside larger economic

forces encouraging urbanization have led to
significant demographic declines, called a
rural flight, where economic incentives
encourage younger populations to go to
cities for education and access to jobs,
leaving older, less educated and
less wealthy populations in the rural areas.
Slower economic development results in poorer services like
healthcare and education and rural infrastructure. This cycle of
poverty in some rural areas means that
three-quarters of the global population in
poverty live in rural areas according to
the Food and Agricultural Organization.
Some communities have successfully
encouraged economic development in
rural areas, with some policies such as
giving increased access
to electricity or internet, proving very
successful on encouraging economic activities in rural areas.
Historically development policies have focused on larger extractive
industries, such as mining and forestry. However, recent approaches
more focused on sustainable development are more aware of
economic diversification in these communities.

Electricity :
Rural electrification is in the process of bringing electrical power to rural and
remote areas. Rural communities are suffering from colossal market failures as
the national grids fall short of their
demand for electricity.

Electricity alone may not be able to

create all the conditions for
economic growth, but it is obviously
essential for basic human needs and
economic activity. In theory, access
to electricity can improve socio-
economic conditions in developing
countries through its influence on
key components of poverty, namely
health, education, income and
environment. Rural electrification
programs seem to be crucial to improve living conditions and promote
development; however, there is also a need for evaluation of such programs’
impacts to determine whether or not interventions are relevant and cost
effective.  

Electrification typically begins in cities and towns and gradually extends to

rural areas, however, this process often runs into obstacles in developing
nations. Expanding the national grid is expensive and countries consistently
lack the capital to grow their current infrastructure.
Poverty :
Rural poverty refers to poverty in rural areas, including factors of rural
society, rural economy, and political systems that give rise to the poverty found
there. Rural areas, because of their spread-out populations, typically have less
well maintained infrastructure and a harder time accessing markets, which tend
to be concentrated in population centres.

Rural communities also face disadvantages in terms of legal and social

protections, with women and marginalized communities frequently having hard
times accessing land, education and other support systems that help with
economic development. Several policies have been tested in both developing
and developed economies, including rural electrification and access to other
technologies such as the internet, gender parity, and improved access to
credit and income.

Rural Health :
 In medicine, ruralhealth or rural medicine is the interdisciplinary study
of health and health care delivery in rural environments. The concept of
rural health incorporates many fields,
including geography, midwifery, nursing, sociology, economics,
and telehealth or telemedicine. Research shows that the healthcare
needs of individuals living in rural areas are different from those in urban
areas, and rural areas often suffer from a lack of access to healthcare.

Economics :

Rural economics is the study of

rural economies, including:

 Farm and non-farm industry.

 Economic growth, development,
and change.
 Size and spatial distribution of
production and household units and interregional trade.
 Land use.
 Housing and non-housing as to supply and demand
 migration and population.
 Finance.
 Government policies as to development, investment, regulation,
and transportation.
 General equilibrium and welfare analysis, for example, system
interdependencies and rural-urban income disparities.
 Urban Life

An urban area, or built-up area, is

a human settlement with a
high population
density and infrastructure of the built
environment. Urban areas are
created through urbanization and are
categorized by urban
morphology as cities, and towns.

Urban areas are created and further

developed by the process of
urbanization. Urban areas are
measured for various purposes,
including analysing population
density and urban sprawl.

An urban area is a region surrounding a city. Most inhabitants of urban areas have

non-agricultural jobs. Urban areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of
human structures such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and
railways.

"Urban area" can refer to towns, cities, and suburbs.

Urban Lifestyle :
Urban lifestyles relate to the way of
living adopted in densely populated
human settlements and to the
conditions and the quality of life in
cities. Although different in size,
spatial structure, resources
availability, social, cultural, and
economic characteristics, all cities merge natural with built environments. Each
city’s own activities are supported by the built environment and by the complex
network of synergies and dependencies with other regions, local and globally,
that provide for all kinds of resources and goods that cities require, generating
the city metabolism. Urban towns or cities are cool to live in. Rapid growth of
technology and exchange of ideas mostly happen in Urban areas. They have higher
literacy rates, well-built schools and colleges with good infrastructure. Urban life
 is competitive and challenging. To attain stabilized living, one has to prefer an
urban area as there are wide range of opportunities. Urban areas are where more
people rise out of poverty when compared to rural areas. Technical and
technological advancement happens more rapidly in the urban areas.

CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN SOCIETY:

. The areas have got fast rate of change because of education and modern
technology.

. These areas have got complex culture because of mixing of other cultures in it.
. Urban areas have got formal social life.
. Urban areas have got weak interactions and ties on the basis of their complex.
. In these areas there is high rate of pollution because of factories and automobiles.
. In urban areas people are not much gracious to their guests because of their busy life.

URBANIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT :

1) Educate and focus attention on urgent urban challenges and future opportunities.

2) Mobilize and empower all urban actors around practical problem solving.

3) Address the specific challenges of urban poverty and access to infrastructure.

4) Promote integrated and innovative infrastructure design and service delivery.

5) Promote land use planning and efficient spatial concentration.

6) Ensure resilience to climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Advantages of Rural Life:
The phrase "rural" refers to a region on the outskirts of a city. A tiny village outside of a city,
commercial or industrial sector is referred to as a hamlet. Countryside areas, villages, or
villages and towns with native forests and open spaces may be included. The population
density in this area is low. Agriculture and livestock farming are the people’s principal
sources of income. Cottage industries are also a major source of income in this area. Here are
some advantages of Rural life.

 Lesser Pollution:
The air quality improves as you travel further into the rural areas. Researchers discovered that
an abundance of green trees, lower pollution levels, and exposure to chemicals generated by
fungi, plants, and microbes all benefit human cells. The toxic air released by cars, buses, and
industry is the primary source of pollution in the city. When harmful particles enter the lungs,
they obstruct breathing, causing COPD, asthma, and heart disease.
The environment is calm and peaceful, with plenty of fresh and pure air. The rural areas
are free of hazardous chemicals, traffic, and smog, which is extremely beneficial to people's
health. In the city, getting from point A to point B takes hours due to a large number of cars.
In the country, where there are fewer cars on the road, one can enjoy the journey from one
location to another in no time!

 Lots of Space:
A country has a lot of open areas. If you want to build an art studio or a barn, you'll have
plenty of space to do it. In urban regions, space is a concept of luxury; however, this is not
the case in rural settings. Depending on where you live in the country, you may also have
direct views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, or stunning scenery.

 Better mental Health:

Living in the city can activate two damaging and important brain areas that control anxiety
and emotion. According to scientists, this is why city dwellers have higher rates of
psychiatric issues than those in rural areas. The brain is less likely to get into difficulty in
rural regions, resulting in fewer mood and anxiety disorders. According to research, people
who live in cities are more likely to have health problems as a result of rising pollution levels.
People in rural areas are less stressed because there is less competition in the workplace.

 Closer to Nature:
Direct sunlight and an abundance of green trees can be seen in rural areas. As a result,
engaging yourself in nature has numerous advantages, ranging from improving memory to
lowering blood pressure. Spending more time in nature benefits not just physical health but
also emotional wellness.
 Less Amount of Crime:
People who live in rural areas are proven to be less vulnerable to crime than those who live in
large cities or towns. There are fewer chances of committing crimes such as serious assault,
theft, or robbery because there are fewer people. According to data, in the rural areas, there
are 2.8 police per 100,000 people, compared to 2.6 cops per 100,000 people in the city.
Thus if you are looking for someplace where you can leave the window open while sleeping
or can be tension free for your kids who will be riding home alone from school, then the
countryside is the perfect place for you!

 Cheaper and more Economic:

Cities are more expensive to live in than rural areas.  Citizens in the country spend
considerably less for everything from groceries to healthcare to transportation. Rural
residents also have to spend 12.7 percent less on housing than urban residents. A quality
bungalow in the countryside can be had for the same price as a studio in the city. When
compared to local taxes, the taxes on any type of property are far lower.

 Access to Organic Food:

Fresh fruits, eggs, and vegetables can be found directly from the source in the rural areas.
You can also cultivate organically grown food due to a large amount of area available.
Unprocessed and healthful meals are not difficult to come by in the city, but they are more
expensive. For food, gas station snack bars and small markets are more dominant than
organic supermarkets. In the country, people with less income can also eat cleaner diets due
to the production of organic food on a mass level.

 Stronger Communities:
The communities are one of the most undeniable advantages of living in the country. Because
it is such a small town, everyone knows everything about everyone else. When someone new
moves into the neighbourhood, everyone introduces themselves with a heartfelt welcome gift,
such as a pie or cookies. In large cities, this sense of belonging is lacking.

 Ready Access to Extracurricular Activities:

Those who love adventures like hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and hunting, do not have to
go anywhere else if they are living in the countryside. You can step outside your home and
you can enter a natural trail for all of these. You can also admire the breath-taking meadows,
hills, or peaceful forests.
Disadvantages of the countryside Life:
Let us take a look at some of the major disadvantages that you may have to face while living
or growing up in a rural area. They are as follows.

 Activities:
For entertainment, big towns and cities feature movie theatres, literary readings, music
concerts, and amusement parks. You will discover fewer of these activities if you choose to
stay in the country. As a result, you should be inventive in keeping your children and yourself
occupied. The rural, on the other hand, appeals to more creative and artistic people. Only
outdoor-related activities are available in the country.

 Education:
The majority of rural areas lack sufficient educational facilities. They either lack schools,
colleges, and universities, or the educational quality provided does not meet market
expectations. Higher education institutions such as colleges and universities are frequently
absent. As a result, after completing high school, a student must migrate to a metropolis to
pursue further education. Similar to schools, there will be a paucity of options due to the
small number of schools in villages and rural areas.

 Job Opportunities:
If you are seeking high-end employment, the countryside or village is not the place to be. In
most villages, there is a labor shortage. The majority of people work for themselves, either in
farming or in small manufacturing or processing businesses. Because there are no significant
enterprises, industries, or service sector MNCs that supply jobs in such locations, there is
overall unemployment or hidden unemployment.

 Health Facilities:
Lack of health facilities is one of the major issues faced by residents of a village or rural area.
In case of severe disease, treatment requires moving to a city or place with better health
facilities. Good and multi-specialty hospitals are lacking in rural areas.

 Isolation:
The people often feel isolated in the countryside due to the inconvenience of traveling.
Sometimes it may even take a whole day for going into the city and returning after
accomplishing important work. You need to have a study vehicle in case you got stuck in bad
weather due to snow.
 Time for Travel:
Most of the vital buildings like schools, hospitals, and other administrative buildings are
miles apart from each other in the country. Thus, it takes a lot of time from one place to
another and has to leave hours earlier to attend any social occasion or function at anyone’s
house.

 Pests and Insects:

The problem of pests and insects is more frequent in the countryside than in the cities due to
the huge number of trees and forests. There can also be large poisonous bugs and snakes that
can prey on your pets depending on the location of where you live in the rural areas. Thus, be
prepared to find these critters if you are planning to move to the village.
 ADVANTAGES OF URBAN LIVING:

 There are often roads of a better quality and well-built houses in urban areas.

 Transport facilities are highly developed and often receive regular funding for

updates. It can be faster to get from place to place in a city or town.

 Due to better public transport, you can save money on a car.

 Most amenities and entertainments are easy to reach. Clubs, restaurants and cinemas

are more prolific in these busier areas and you often find new attractions will open in

a city before anywhere else.

 Hospitals and clinics are close by for easy access to healthcare or aid in an

emergency.

 Cities and towns tend to have a greater mix of cultures and ethnicities which can help

when making new friends and meeting people. We encounter people of different

states and with foreigners. We develop a love for humanity.

 People get the opportunity to make friends with tastes similar to one’s own.

 There are a greater number of jobs available in urban areas. Starting a new career

could be far easier if you move to a town or city.

 All kinds of physical comforts are within our easy reach. In the heat, of the day we

can use the electric fan, cooler, and air-conditioner. At night, we switch on the electric

light.
 DISADVANTAGES OF URBAN LIFE:

 Busy towns or cities can feel crowded and may mean you feel more stress or pressure.

You may also not be able to form such tight knit communities in urban areas.

 Urban areas tend to be more expensive to live in. Property prices are higher and so are

goods and services.

 Houses are more compact in urban areas. To maximize space, flats and smaller

apartments are built instead of houses with larger gardens.

 There are often fewer green spaces in a town or city. You may not always be able to

enjoy natural spaces.

 Public transport might not always be as reliable as you’d like, and many towns or

cities are restrictive with parking. If you prefer to drive, you may find it harder to

keep a car close to where you live unless it is at great expense.

 Because of larger populations, cities can have higher levels of pollution, including

noise pollution. This could be damaging to your health in the long-term.

 If you have pets you may find it harder to find a place to live that allows them. It may

also be harder to find a place to walk a dog or enjoy outdoor space with them.
Conclusion:
It’s becoming increasingly clear that traditional definitions of urban and rural fail
to capture the complexity of the land uses and the connection between them. Changing
settlement, commuting, and migration patterns contribute to an interface were
“Populations and activities described either as ‘rural’ or ‘urban’ are more closely linked
both across space and across sectors then is usually thought and that distinctions are often
arbitrary.” Economic and social conditions in peri-urban areas can be
improved through a targeted intervention aimed at the linkages and interactions within
regions. For that to happen, however, it is important for planners and policymakers to
develop strategies based on the realities of people’s lives.