Understanding Urbanisation

In: Third world quarterly, Band 14, Heft 2, S. 393-397

Abstract

A review essay on books by: Nigel Harris (Ed), Cities in the 1990s; The Challenge for Developing Countries (London: UCL Press, 1992); Robert-Jan Baken & Jan van der Linden, Land Delivery for Low Income Groups in Third World Cities (Aldershot: Avebury, 1992); & Rajesh Chandra, Industrialization and Development in the Third World (London & New York: Routledge, 1992 [see listings in IRPSPPD No. 28]). These three books reflect the resurgence of interest in urban industrialization & economic development in the Third World. Harris offers a collection of papers presented at a workshop sponsored by the British Overseas Development Administration in Nov 1991 to bring together, in an informal setting, officials of the World Bank & the UN Development Program. Despite its lack of balance, the volume presents an illuminating view of urban challenges. Baken & van der Linden focus on urban land markets & delivery systems. Unfortunately, their coverage is sparse in some areas & repetitive in others, particularly that of urban poverty. Chandra's book is well organized, outlining the history of Third World development & offering surveys of specific aspects, eg, the level & structure, organization, & location of industries. Despite some weak areas, this work, by an authority on the Third World, provides much valuable insight on the subject. J. W. Stanton