Urbanization: Urban and Rural Development in the 19th Century

Abstract

With the beginning of the industrialization in the Great Britain, fundamental changes in the lives of the worldwide population began. By means of intense overseas trade, innovations rapidly spread on the European mainland. A well-expanded transport network and a sound infrastructure, factories, raw material, employees and employers are only some factors required for the success of industrialization. Due to the technical innovations, the life of the population changed. Many people moved from the countryside to the cities, in hope for work and better opportunities to earn money. The primary sector gradually lost its importance.

Urbanization is a result of industrialization. Towns had to brace themselves for their permanently growing populations. The supply of the inhabitants with water and electricity had to be ensured, just like the connection to a transport system and adequate housing space. The simple worker, however, could not afford big dwellings due to his small allowance, so that his family had to live in cramped housing space.

Particularly strong urbanization can be observed in areas in which factories and high raw material deposits exist, like, for example, the Ruhr region, where, consequently, many workers were needed in order to work on and process these.