Urbanization in East Asia: Retrospect and Prospect

The purpose of this paper is to review the trend of urbanization and the growth of cities in East Asia and to discuss the social, economic, environmental, and physical implications accompanying the rapid urbanization and the growth of large metropolitan cities. The paper discusses the past trend and distribution of urbanization and the growth of large cities in East Asia in comparison with those of other parts of Asia and the world at large.The urban structure and hierarchy, population concentration in primate cities, and rural to urban population redistributions are also discussed. In addition, the paper comments on various problems associated with the rapid urbanization and the emergence of urban agglomerations in East Asia, such as the economy and labor, urban land, housing, water and power, transportation, health and education, and urban social pathology.Furthermore, the paper attempts to present the future trend of urbanization and the growth of large cities in East Asia based on the projections prepared by the United Nations organizations. It also highlights the future potential problems that we may encounter unless the trend of urbanization and the growth of mega cities are anticipated, planned, and managed. Urbanization and the emergence of urban agglomeration are inevitable consequences of industrial and economic development in any country and it is a challenge for all to plan, manage, and develop various remedies for alleviating economic, social, environmental, and physical problems associated with urbanization and the growth of large cities