Cities Transformed; Demographic Change and its Implications in the Developing World

This book was prepared by a panel formed by the US National Research Council to provide a better understanding of the dynamics of urban population growth and its causes and consequences in low- and middle-income countries. It focuses on six main areas: urban population dynamics and city growth (and why location matters); social and economic differentiation within and across cities; fertility and reproductive health in urban areas; mortality and morbidity in urban areas (is city life good for your health?); the urban economy and its implications for the urban labour force; and finally, the challenge of urban governance. One key theme of the book is the need for demographers to pay more attention to urban change and the marshalling of evidence to show why.

After an introduction explaining its aims and objectives, the book discusses why location matters, especially the ways in which urban environments can influence demographic behaviour. It reminds the reader of what should be obvious - individuals and families (demographic decision makers) are embedded in social contexts which influence their decisions and this implies the need to understand the influence on such decisions of urban homes and neighbourhoods and their labour markets and social organizations. Chapter 3 discusses the regional and global networks of trade, finance and information within which cities are located and the scale and nature of urban growth. This is followed by a discussion of urban population dynamics which includes a review of what Demographic and Health Survey data tell us fertility, mortality, migration and urban age structure. Chapter 5 examines social and economic diversity within urban areas. This includes documenting the multiple dimensions of urban poverty and how urban poverty differs from rural poverty; it also discusses how basic service provision in urban areas varies according to city size. Chapters 6 and 7 discuss in detail what is known in regard to fertility and reproductive health and morbidity and mortality among urban populations. Chapter 8 discusses the urban economy and its labour force from the demographic perspective. Chapter 9 discusses the challenges to national and local governments of rapid urban change, illustrated with short case studies of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Manila, Abidjan and Mexico City. The book concludes with recommendations and a discussion of the new directions needed if demographic research is to contribute to addressing the problems so often associated with rapid urban change.