Population redistribution in the context of rapid population growth: the urbanization of the ESCWA region 1950-2000.

UN data was used to examine trends in urbanization in Western Asia (ESCWA region) to identify potential factors affecting urbanization and to give an overview of the regions population policies. Over the past 40 years the rate of urbanization in the region has been more rapid than anywhere else in the world. The world level of urbanization was 43% in 1990 in the ESCWA region it was 56%. By 1975 all countries in the ESCWA region experienced large urban increases and the gaps widened between countries. The tendency was for increased changes with every five year period. Between 1960 and 1975 urban population growth was double or more than rural population growth except for the United Arab Emirates. The pace of change slowed between 1975 and that projected for the year 2000. The gap narrowed between countries with high urbanization levels and those with moderately high levels. Increases in each 5 year interval were observed for South Yemen Jordan Lebanon and Syria; decreases were observed with each 5 year interval for Bahrain Iraq Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates and North Yemen. Zero order correlations with the Spearman rank ordering technique showed a low negative relationship between population size and level of urbanization. Density and percentage urban in the largest agglomeration were positively and strongly related to urbanization. More densely populated urban areas were subject to greater urban increases. The total economically active population was weakly correlated with level of urbanization (0.692). The percentage engaged in non-agriculture and services were more strongly correlated (0.830 and 0.714 respectively). Smaller populations tend to have more advanced nonagricultural employment. Per capita gross domestic product was strongly associated with the percentage urban (0.709) but weakly associated with the percentage urban in the largest agglomeration and not at all related to population density. Urbanization and infant mortality were inversely related (-0.681). Infant mortality was correlated more strongly with percentage economically active in services (-0.852) and in non-agriculture than density or percentage urban in the largest agglomeration. By 1990 Bahrain Kuwait Lebanon Qatar and Saudi Arabia had 80% of total population in urban areas. Egypt Iraq Jordan Syria and the United Arab Emirates had urban populations ranging from 50% to 79%. Most governments in 1990 viewed their population distributions as less desirable. Nine out of 13 countries in 1976 recognized a policy objective of redistribution. All countries have a policy for promotion of small towns and intermediate sized cities. Seven countries out of 13 have policies for development of "new" towns and are using the development of public infrastructure and investment subsidies to encourage new development. Iraq Jordan Saudi Arabia Syria and the United Emirates are channeling urban development investment to specific industrial locations.