Urbanization and Return to Rural Life
Urbanization is considered one of the most defining social transformations of the past two centuries. Accelerated by industrialization, this process has drawn millions of people from rural areas to cities due to educational opportunities, job prospects, healthcare services, and social amenities. Globally, as in Türkiye, this wave of migration has turned major cities into economic hubs while simultaneously pushing them to the brink of serious governance challenges. Today, the idea of returning to the countryside is no longer merely a nostalgic dream; it has emerged as a globally debated alternative lifestyle model.
For many years, cities were synonymous with opportunity. However, population density, inadequate infrastructure, housing crises, traffic congestion, air pollution, and rising living costs have begun to reverse this perception. A notable trend, accelerated by the pandemic, is that people are increasingly seeking not to abandon the opportunities of urban life but to avoid being completely constrained by them.
The Unmanageability of Big Cities
According to United Nations data, approximately 56% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, and this proportion is expected to reach 68% by 2050. Yet this growth does not equate to sustainable urbanization. Megacities are becoming increasingly complex and fragile. In cities like Istanbul, London, New York, and Shanghai, housing costs have risen by 30–50% in real terms over the past five years, creating not only economic but also social pressures.
The core issue is that the pace of urbanization has outstripped cities’ capacity to renew themselves. Cities expand, but infrastructure, environmental resilience, and social cohesion cannot keep up.
Flight to the Countryside
Post-pandemic, the rural migration trend has become particularly pronounced among highly educated, digitally skilled groups. People seek three main things in rural life: lower living costs, connection to nature, and greater control over time. Remote work and widespread internet access have made this dream economically feasible for the first time.
However, the challenges are often underestimated. Rural life comes not only with romantic notions of escape but also with infrastructure deficits, limited healthcare access, educational constraints, social isolation, and seasonal risks. Many individuals pursuing agriculture or animal husbandry must revise their plans within the first two to three years, as nature demands discipline alongside freedom.
Technology and Rural Living
Here, technology plays a critical role. Smart farming applications, remote monitoring systems, small-scale renewable energy solutions, and modular construction technologies make rural life far more manageable than in the past. EU funding for rural digitalization in 2023–2024 demonstrates that governments are taking this transformation seriously.
In the U.S., “rural revitalization” initiatives aim to attract tech entrepreneurs to small towns. Conversely, China continues planned urbanization to prevent uncontrolled rural depopulation. In Europe, Germany and Scandinavian countries are pioneering hybrid models that encourage rural living.
Sustainability Perspective
Considering the planet’s finite resources, the current pace of urbanization is clearly unsustainable. Cities are less efficient than rural areas in per capita energy and water use. Well-planned rural settlements, however, offer significant advantages in local production, short supply chains, and low carbon footprints.
My personal view is clear: organic living aligns better with human nature. Advances in technology make building homes, small-scale farming, and animal husbandry far more accessible than before. In contrast, large cities continue to grow increasingly unmanageable.
Which Will Be More Valuable in the Future?
By 2050, the question will shift from “city or countryside” to which lifestyle model is more resilient. While major cities will not disappear, they risk becoming necessary rather than attractive spaces. Rural living, supported by proper infrastructure and technology, could emerge as a more valuable alternative in terms of personal fulfillment and planetary sustainability.
Ultimately, the decisive factor will not be where people live but how they live. In this equation, models that harmonize with nature, remain productive, and scale efficiently are likely to prevail
