[Urbanization, the growth of big cities, and some of their problems]

The system of cities in developing countries (which usually are ex-colonial countries) is commonly characterized by primate city domination. The presence of big cities are often felt as parasitic, rather than being economically constructive. Rapid population growth in big cities is often accompanied by 1) shortages of productive employment opportunities, urban housing, and public services; and 2) emergence of squatter settlements, environmental pollution, and sociopsychological stress. In 1985, the urban population of Indonesia had reached 43 million, or 26.2% of the total population. So far, the growth of Indonesia's urban population is concentrated in its metropolitan cities. Even though the pattern of primacy is not striking, a tendency exists for the city-size distribution to deviate more from rank-size rule distribution. Distorted patterns of spatial development have restricted the development of small and middle range cities. In the year 2000, the urban population of Indonesia is estimated to become more than twice its number in 1985. Therefore, national urban policies need to focus more on promoting the development of intermediate and small cities.