Urbanization and national development: Some approaches to the dilemma

Abstract

The economic and physical characteristics of cities are closely related, yet both economists and physical planners evidence insufficient awareness of the city's important role in national development. A greater recognition is essential, for the economies of developing countries can be advanced by policies designed to direct the future course of urbanization and to exploit the contribution to development which the urban resource can make. Many developing nations evidence a heavy concentration of industry, commercial services, educational and health facilities, and other modernizing institutions and individuals at one or two major metropolitan centers. Such concentration is inevitable at an early stage of growth. In the history of developed nations, however, other centers eventually achieved the “external economies” of the metropolis and began to attract and generate new development of their own. This process of spread does not appear to be functioning as rapidly in many now-developing nations; and severe strains are occurring between metropolis and hinterland and within the metropolis itself. One important task for national government in such circumstances is to identify and encourage those productive and allied activities that are most suitable for location in the metropolis so that its economic base is strengthened. A second is to select a limited number of promising areas outside the center where major and conscious efforts will be made to create advantages comparable to those of the metropolis, building up “external economies” sufficient to generate sustained growth. These tasks require the skills of both economists and physical planners. Some progress can be made by adapting sector-oriented national plans to include urban policy, and by adapting local land use and design plans to reflect economic and social development goals. A few instances of experimentation with these approaches exist. Planning is but one step along the road, however, for a commitment to implement urban policy and programs on the part of the highest level of national government is critical.