THIS BOOK IS a collection of papers which explore the urban transformation of regions that contain over 80 per cent of the Third World’s population. The essays reveal that whilst these regions share some of the same characteristics and problems resulting from rapid urbanization, there are still considerable divergences and variety in evidence.

The first chapter introduces the countries featured in the book and explores some of the similarities and differences in their patterns of urban transition, migration and urban social and political organization. Chapter 2 gives an account of the rich and ancient history of cities in Monsoon Asia, including cities in India, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. The following chapter presents modern urban development in China, assessing the impact of the Chinese model through themes such as labour, the rural–urban balance, migration and urban quality of life. Patterns of urbanization, industrialization and development in India are explored in Chapter 4, with an examination of policy issues in areas such as urban finance, housing and land development. Chapter 5 deals with urbanization in Indonesia, setting recent trends within their historical context, suggesting means of dealing with current urban problems and revealing the challenges faced by policy makers and planners.

Chapter 6 on the Arab World explores the role of Middle Eastern countries within the international system and the theoretical and practical implications for the development of the region’s cities. Next, urbanization in the region south of the Sahara is traced through history, with a more detailed discussion of recent trends, including problems of ethnic conflict. Finally, Chapter 8 examines changes in urban social structure, especially occupational structure, which are the result of urbanization in Latin America. The authors argue that the patterns in evidence are closely related to developments in the industrial sector and changes in the international division of labour.