World Urban Development: Processes and Patterns at the End of the Twentieth Century
Author(s)
Clark, David A.
Abstract
Urban development transformed the location and lifestyles of the majority of the world’s people during the twentieth century. In this article, key features of the urban geography of the contemporary world are identified and differences between countries are commented upon. Ways in which the urban world is changing through urban growth, urbanisation and the spread of urbanism are analysed and urban growth and urbanisation are explained as locational responses to the rise of a global economy. The spread of urbanism is linked to the emergence of a global society made possible by developments in telecommunications and mass media. Criticisms of such explanations are outlined and assessed. The problems of generalising about world urban patterns are acknowledged.
