Both phrases refer to problems resulting from urbanization that occurs too quickly, but different dimensions are stressed.
Aspect Pseudo-Urbanisation Over-Urbanisation
Definitions Urban growth takes place without altering the socio-economic structure of society Urban growth happens at a pace outstripping the urban economy and its services
Origin/Funding mechanism Urbanization comes about due to rural-urban migration, redefining settlements, and demographic factors Casualties of rapid urbanization, when conditions in employment, housing and infrastructure cannot keep pace
Economic foundation Underdeveloped economy either in terms of industry or services economy is present Existing urban economy cannot handle quick population growth
Jobs/Affairs High percentage of population remains unemployed as people are forced to face informational and low-income activities Unemployment and underemployment
Infrastructure Some urban characteristics may appear without proper infrastructure Urban infrastructure and services become overloaded
Housing Development of slums and informal settlements There might be serious housing shortages
Main focus Urban population growth without real urban changes Urban growth that is more than the capacity of the particular city infrastructure
A good memory device:
Pseudo-urbanization = Urban development happens without enough changes in the structure and economic system
Over-urbanization = Urbanization occurs faster than the urban capacity allows
Let’s discuss an example:
Imagine that massive assault of countryside people on the city happens.
In Pseudo-Urbanisation, they settle down in the city. But there is no structural shift that would take place, so even if people are in the city, it does not result in the expected urbanization.
In Over-Urbanisation, many migrants come to the city at such a level that the economy cannot cope with the increase, it stops developing.
Interrelationship
They can be interrelated; nevertheless, they are not synonymous:
Fast migration leads to insufficient economic transformation, which equals to Pseudo-Urbanization. At the same time, rapid population growth leads to the inability of urban infrastructure to cope with high numbers of people coming – which can be understood as Over-Urbanization.
In a nutshell, Pseudo – Urbanization touches on the quality and nature of urbanization while Over-Urbanization stresses excessive scale and pace of urbanization.