ABSTRACT

Major cities in developing countries have been experiencing profound physical, social, and economic transformations brought about by the globalization of the economy and related processes. Changes in economic investments, income distribution, the labor market and labor relations, and access to land and urban services have been at the center of such processes. Increasing unemployment and underemployment; persistent (and sometimes aggravated) poverty; occupation of peripheral areas lacking basic services; poor public-transport supply; and increasing congestion, pollution, and accidentsmainly related to the increasing and irresponsible use of automobiles-are common consequences in most large cities.