Global urbanization, also variously referred to as ‘urban inflation’
or ‘hyperurbanization,’ is one of today’s foremost development
concerns. Of particular concern is the paradox that despite rapid
urbanization, there seems to be a corresponding increase and deepening
of urban poverty. Indeed, all over the developing world, major cities are
growing at a faster rate than industrialization, modernization and the provision
of basic economic and social infrastructure, bringing about shortages
in health, shelter, education, employment — among other equally
important services — with negative consequences for human development.
Whereas the above scenario is more a manifestation of problems of
urbanization in developing areas, stark inequalities of incomes and welfare
are increasingly the norm in major cities of developed countries as well.