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World is more urban than rural now. The UN predicts that the developing regions will account for 93 percent of urban growth during this century. Alarmingly, developing world contains more than one third of its urban population in slums. This raises concern from the growth as well as from the distribution point of view. Concern arises as to whether the process is affecting growth thus creating higher rate of slum population or whether the rising rate is the outcome of distribution and equity problem. Slum growth rate, which was ignored by previous studies as an indicator of urbanization, is important because it simultaneously shows the benefit and cost of urbanization. If the slum population compared to the urban population decreases, it shows the benefit of urbanization whereas if it increases, it shows the cost of urbanization. Several indicators to the process of urbanization were ignored previously. This study identifies several cross-country contributing factors of urbanization in the developing nations arguing that the slum population is a better indicator of urbanization in terms of growth and distribution perspectives as well as from cost and benefit standpoints.
About the author
Dr. Kaikaus Ahmad has a PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy and an MA in Development Economics. His academic and civil service career magnetized him towards interdisciplinary subjects, and issues relating to poverty, economic development, governance, global interdependence, and institutional development always intrigues him.
