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| COMPARATIVE STUDY ON URBANIZATIONS OF DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| MAO Ai-hua1, SUN Feng-hua2, LIN Wen-jie1 |
1. School of geography and planning, Ludong University, Yantai 264025;
2. School of Trafic, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China |
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Abstract The emergence and development of metropolis syblolize the world urbanization, which is the ultimate trend fueled by the social and economic development. However, the disparity of the economy between the developed countries and developing countries determines the different characteristics and distinctions in each urbanization process. Awareness and correct analysis of these factual differences is the only appropriate way to face the challenges and opportunities in the globalization panaroma, hence realizing the harmonious urbanization for the whole world.
This paper will first compare the difference in the urbanization process between developed countries and developing countries. The "Flatted S curve" named by Ray. M. Northam can vividly illustrate the differences of urbanization between these two kinds of countries. Developed countries, with 75% of their population living in urban area, have entered the third stage, the stage where the increase of highly urbanized population tends to slow down or even stagnate and reflects the up-right portion of the Flatted S curve. From 1980s, developing countries stepped into the medium stage where population flow and converge to cities rapidly, reflecting the middle portion of the S curve with rather steep slope. Most under-developed countries are still in the primary stage with low level of urbanization. Then, the paper briefly analyzes the economic development which imposes restriction upon the urbanization and describes the new trend and three problematic areas, i. e. the ever-narrowed gap in urbanization levels, the over-urbanization and over-expansion of big cities which cause serious challenge to developing countries, and the counter-urbanization and re-urbanization stage in developed countries. Finally, the paper proposes the preliminary thoughts against the opportunities and risks of urbanization in the gloablization background, in order to harmonize the urbanization strategy in all countries. For developed countries, it is crucial to decrease the drug-use and crimes and take proactive measures to settle down the homeless people. Another effective measure to deal with counter-urbanization and re-urbanization is to emphasize on the re-exploration of city space, city function and city environment. For developing countries, it is a key issue to make a scientific urbanization strategy in dealing with the challenge of economic globalization and urbanization in 21st century. The scientific urbanization strategy should include at lease the two following aspects: setting up a scientific guidance of rural population migration to urban areas for realizing the conversion from a rural society to urban society, creating and optimizing the city governance mechanism to improve the city administration, enhance habitability and raise the comprehensive competence and capability of sustainable development.
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Received: 07 April 2007
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2008, Vol. 23 
