Urbanization and Child Development

Abstract: In recent decades, the rate of urbanization has been rapid, transforming the world and the people that take part in this global trend. Urbanization has often been studied and discussed with a focus on adults, societies, and social dynamics, without an emphasis on the psychological processes of young members of society, the children that grow up in transition. This review aims to address the significant and complex relationship between urbanization and child development, focusing on physical health, mental health, and cognitive outcomes. By outlining some of the links between socioeconomic themes associated with urbanization (i.e., internal migration, poverty, income inequality, neighborhoods, and discrimination) and by discussing their role in development, the present review situates the child in the urban context. Taken together, the relevant evidence suggests that urbanization, as a multidimensional construct, brings benefits and poses some risk factors for development. Therefore, a greater focus on the characteristics of the economic, cultural, and social context shaped by urbanization is essential for an in-depth understanding of urbanization and child development. In recent decades, the rate of urbanization has been rapid, transforming the world and the people that take part in this global trend. Urbanization has often been studied and discussed with a focus on adults, societies, and social dynamics, without an emphasis on the psychological processes of young members of society, the children that grow up in transition. This review aims to address the significant and complex relationship between urbanization and child development, focusing on physical health, mental health, and cognitive outcomes. By outlining some of the links between socioeconomic themes associated with urbanization (i.e., internal migration, poverty, income inequality, neighborhoods, and discrimination) and by discussing their role in development, the present review situates the child in the urban context. Taken together, the relevant evidence suggests that urbanization, as a multidimensional construct, brings benefits and poses some risk factors for development. Therefore, a greater focus on the characteristics of the economic, cultural, and social context shaped by urbanization is essential for an in-depth understanding of urbanization and child development. In recent decades, the rate of urbanization has been rapid, transforming the world and the people that take part in this global trend. Urbanization has often been studied and discussed with a focus on adults, societies, and social dynamics, without an emphasis on the psychological processes of young members of society, the children that grow up in transition. This review aims to address the significant and complex relationship between urbanization and child development, focusing on physical health, mental health, and cognitive outcomes. By outlining some of the links between socioeconomic themes associated with urbanization (i.e., internal migration, poverty, income inequality, neighborhoods, and discrimination) and by discussing their role in development, the present review situates the child in the urban context. Taken together, the relevant evidence suggests that urbanization, as a multidimensional construct, brings benefits and poses some risk factors for development. Therefore, a greater focus on the characteristics of the economic, cultural, and social context shaped by urbanization is essential for an in-depth understanding of urbanization and child development.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Urbanization and Child Development ; volume:69 ; number:1 ; year:2025 ; pages:20-47 ; extent:28 ; Human development ; 69, Heft 1 (2025), 20-47 (gesamt 28)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Sen, Umay ; Gredebäck, Gustaf

Further information

• DOI: 10.1159/000541773
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2502122339148.784694640964
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:26 AM CEST