title: The global pattern of urbanization and economic growth: evidence from the last three decades.
abstract: The relationship between urbanization and economic growth has been perplexing. In this paper, we identify the pattern of global change and the correlation of urbanization and economic growth, using cross-sectional, panel estimation and geographic information systems (GIS) methods. The analysis has been carried out on a global geographical scale, while the timescale of the study spans the last 30 years. The data shows that urbanization levels have changed substantially during these three decades. Empirical findings from cross-sectional data and panel data support the general notion of close links between urbanization levels and GDP per capita. However, we also present significant evidence that there is no correlation between urbanization speed and economic growth rate at the global level. Hence, we conclude that a given country cannot obtain the expected economic benefits from accelerated urbanization, especially if it takes the form of government-led urbanization. In addition, only when all facets are taken into consideration can we fully assess the urbanization process.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Mingxing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Geography, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wenzhong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D057217:Economic Development / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D059066:Gross Domestic Product / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D014507:Urbanization / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends
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