Development and Change: Emerging Perspectives

Three distinct aspects of urbanization have been discussed laying stress on existing ununanimity on urban 'definition' and its variations, the level and growth of urbanization across the world through decades since mid-twentieth century with comparative assessment of different urban forms and urbanization in the Third world in its socio-economic and environmental perspective. This is followed by a broad level discussion on urban sustainability with its wide-ranging issues. Finally, the future of cities in an urbanzing world has been taken up explaining the role of globalization in their transformation, highlighting how the national policies are going to influence the character of cities in the Developing world in particular.