The rate of increase is a function of the percentage of the land that is covered with pavement and cement and the percentage of area served by storm sewers. Storm sewers are important because they allow urban runoff from impervious surfaces to reach stream channels quickly. Urban runoff can also carry polluted water from cities to streams and oceans, disturbing environments even outside the city. In order to urbanize, natural land must be paved and turned into cities. This requires that flora and fauna either lose their homes or are relocated.
Urbanization is virtually irreversible.
Whole habitats are eliminated and permanent resources are depleted. Urbanization is a permanent land use application. With more and more people living and moving to cities, the problem will extend beyond existing boundaries and result in more damage to the natural environment. The effects of urbanization on the environment are permanent and extensive and urban policy must change in order to save what is left in the natural world. Literature Cited Harms, Valerie. 1994.