Topic: Impact of Urbanization
Country: Panama
Delegate Name: Rose Rumery
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Panama position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Urbanization is a major component of Panama's geographic and demographic make up. The trend of population shifts from rural to urban regions has increased in our nation due to the allure of industrialization. Individuals are drawn to the employment opportunities and improved living conditions that are presented in an urbanized area. The benefits that can be reaped from this settlement adjustment, however, are counteractive to the ideals of an environmentalist. Increased urbanization contributes greatly to air pollution, promotes deforestation, and requires excessive burning of fossil fuels. Resulting from the commercialization brought by the Panama Canal, we are faced with an environmental crisis.
The economic advantages of urbanization is that marketplace competition, supply and demand, and product diversity is intensely increased. Developed and developing countries worldwide are influenced by these advantages which explains the rapid amount of urbanization. Recognizing the impact, and increase, of urbanization across the globe, remaining environmentally conscious with development presents a major issue. Panama is troubled with this considering that 75% of the population lives in urban areas and the rate of industrialization is 2.3% a year. To deal with problem, Panama is heavily reliant on alternative energy and on the forefront of sustainable infrastructure. To create an environmentally friendly yet economically flourishing community in panama, we need to include hydroelectric energy utilization, recyclable construction mechanisms, and solar panel installation. These techniques are encouraged, by Panama, for the infrastructure taking place in other nations that are faced with the urban sprawl.
The United Nations has previously addressed the impact of urbanization, but from a solely economic perspective. Present circumstances, with a pressing threat of climate change, escalate the significance of environmental concerns relating to urbanization. Panama calls for other nations to duplicate the progress that many Central American countries are making in the matters of industrialization. As a nation that supports natural preservation and sustainable construction, Panama strongly believes that financial means should be provided to developing countries that are dealing with urbanization. The United Nations should henceforth fund sustainable infrastructure encourage developed countries to and because the urban sprawl will inevitably influence all countries across the globe, and environmental consequences can be prevented with conscious planning, designing, and policy making.
