Title: Economic impacts of Third World mega-cities: Is size the issue?

POPLINE Document Number: 128056

Author(s):

Hamer AM

Source citation:

In: Mega-city growth and the future, edited by Roland J. Fuchs, Ellen Brennan, Joseph Chamie, Fu-chen Lo, and Juha I. Uitto. Tokyo, Japan, United Nations University Press, 1994. :172-91.

Abstract:

The size of megacities and the implications of a given size depend upon how one demarcates the limits of the city. A city could range in area from the traditional core city size of 100-200 sq. km to a region of 2000-10,000 sq. km or larger. Moreover, the growth rates of the constituent parts of these megacities differ widely from one another, with low or even negative growth rates in the densest core and higher growth rates at the low-density periphery. Megacities could therefore be viewed as polycentric clusters of identifiable and separate cities and towns which require regional trunk infrastructure and effective local urban management, similar to the circumstances and needs of a province or small country. One should not treat megacity residents as members of just one city. It is not size, but mismanagement at the regional and local levels, and poor national urbanization policies which lie at the heart of megacity dysfunction.

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Urban Population
Urbanization
Population Size
Social Problems
Economic Factors
Migration Policy
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Urban Population Distribution
Population Distribution
Geographic Factors
Population Dynamics
Population Policy
Social Policy
Policy