How can urbanization affect housing, transport, and services in a city?

• A. Reduces demand for housing; decreases traffic; frees up schools
• B. Increases demand for housing, may cause shortages or higher prices; raises traffic; strains services
• C. Improves housing supply, reduces traffic, overfunds schools
• D. Has no effect on housing or transport

Answer: (B)

Urbanization concentrates more people in cities, which naturally drives up demand for housing, transport, and everyday services. Housing supply often can’t keep pace quickly enough, leading to shortages or higher prices as demand outstrips available homes. With more residents and workers, the number of trips rises, which increases traffic unless there are strong investments in reliable public transit and road improvements. Public services like schools, health care, and utilities also feel the pressure from a larger population, potentially straining capacity and funding. This combination—rising housing demand with possible shortages or higher prices, more traffic, and strained services—best captures what happens when a city grows. The other options imply decreases or no effects, which don’t align with how urban growth typically impacts these areas.