Models of Urban and Regional Systems in Developing Countries

Abstract

This study has taken a long time to appear: its roots go back to 1972, although formally it was begun in 1973, having been crystallized one hot day on the road to Mrewa. A rather simple comparative study of models in developing countries seemed to be indicated at that time, but subsequent travel to various countries gradually resulted in some changes of view. To experience of Southern Africa and Mauritius was added brief experience of Ghana , Egypt, Morocco and Australia, whilst longer stays in Bahrain and Hong Kong were helpful: to these were added kind invitations to visit Costa Rica and Brazil, whilst lengthy recent stays in Korea and Saudi Arabia have been influential. These working travels, added to shorter visits elsewhere, have both prolonged the study, and, hopefully, directed its aim more usefully. Amongst the many very kind people and institutions I must thank for help, hospitality and stimulus on the way are: the Central Office of Statistics at Rose Hill, Mauritius; Denis Fair, John Lea, John Muller, Nie Patricios and Joan Verster at the University of the Witwatersrand; the City Engineer of Salisbury, Rhodesia; the Colegio Federado de Arquitectos y de Engenieros de Costa Rica, and Esther Salas de Weiss in San José; the Universidade de Säo Paulo and its Escola de Engenharia de Säo Carlos, and FAPESP for their support through Professor Romeu Corsini, Professor Azevedo and EMPLASA in Säo Paulo, and especially in Säo Carlos, Dante and Julieta Martinelli and José Savério Lia and other friends in CPD ; and the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements and Dr. W. Y. Kwon in Seoul. F or helpful assistance in securing reference material, the County Libraries of Cheshire and Buckinghamshire, and through them the National Lending Library, must be thanked once again. Acknowledgement is expressed also to the various authors quoted herein and their publishers, and perhaps especially those whose models are cited: though some criticism of their models is made, no one should doubt the pioneering nature of much of this work. Finally, as always, I must thank my wife for bearing with kindness and affection the many long absences and absentmindednesses that a work like this