T
he past 100 years has seen significant
growth in urbanization in
most, if not all, countries of the
world. in the late 19th century, only 10Y’o
of the world’s population lived in cities.
By 1927 that share was up to 21%. And
by 19814094. of a much larger world population
lived in cities.’
Recent data published by the World
Bank indicate a strong correlation between
a country’s economic growth and
its level of urbanization.’ For example,
underdeveloped countries typically have
city populations that account for less
than 30”A of the total population, compared
with 357’0 to 70?40for moderately
developed countries and over 7070 for
developed countries.
When the People’s Republic of China
(PRC) took its latest nationwide census
in July of 1982, 236 cities were identified
with a total population of 145 million—
approximately 14% of the country’s population.
The PRC is keeping up with the
universal trend toward urbanization: In
1983,20 cities had a population exceeding
one million, 28 cities ranged in populations
from one-half million to one million
people, and 71 cities ranged in
populations from 200,000 to one-half
million people.’
In the PRC, suburban growth has occurred
simultaneously with overall urban
growth. The growth and movements of
populations are strongly controlled by local
governments, so that together with
issues of city expansion, city governments
must also deal with problems of
residence, employment, travel, and traffic.
Thus, urban transportation planning
and management become a necessary
element of the urban growth process that
must be addressed by these governments.