Understanding the Developing Metropolis

This third and final volume from the City Study analyses the structure of Bogota and Cali by modelling different markets and the behaviour of individuals, households, firms, and governments within these markets, Simple economic reasoning is used to understand the urban behaviour that can determine a city's overall appearance and structure. The author underlines the importance of this understanding, which, he aruges, could lead to the creation of more effective urban policies. This book is exceptional in that it uses layman's terms to explain the rationale of, and results obtained from, sophisticated techniques used in analysing urban housing and transportation patterns, labour force behaviour, and industrial location patterns. While many urban studies concentrate exclusively on issues related to infrastructure requirements and delivery problems, this study links intfrastructre requirements and supply to the behaviour of households, fims, and government and to the existing income distrubution in the city. In contrast to other related literature, this study reflects optimism that the increasing number of fast-growing cities in the developing world can be controlled and managed. The author concludes that institutional responses to the rapidly changing and unpredictable demands of metropolitan residents must become an inherent part of city structure. This would be the most practical way of coping with urban growth.

"Please read this book for its undeniably important message that the market can, and often does, work effectively. Please note some of the interesting conclusions about how housing and employment markets adapt during periods of economic development."--Journal of Development Studies

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