Final answer:
Urbanization leads to various challenges in cities like Mumbai, including job competition, resource strain, and environmental impacts. Backlash from local populations can result in protective legislation. Cities must balance resource distribution while managing environmental and social costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urbanization, characterized by the mass migration to cities like Mumbai, brings significant social and economic challenges. The influx of 500 newcomers a day to Mumbai heightens competition for jobs, leading to a strain on resources that urban areas face. Many of the migrants are in search of greater opportunities and better living conditions, contributing to the urban shift seen throughout the developing world.
The arrival of new residents in urban areas can lead to a backlash from local populations and regional politicians, who may seek to pass anti-immigration legislation or laws to protect jobs for local residents. This tension can exacerbate existing issues such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, pollution, strained public services, and a widening economic gap between different societal groups.
Cities face the ultimate challenge of ensuring equitable resource distribution and reducing environmental impacts while accommodating the growing urban populations. This includes finding solutions for unemployment, overcrowded housing, strained infrastructure, and social dislocation that often accompany increased urban migration.