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Urban Myths and the Mis-use of Data that Underpin Them

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  • David Satterthwaite

Abstract

This paper describes the gaps and limitations in the data available on urban populations for many low- and middle-income nations and how this limits the accuracy of international comparisons - for instance of levels of urbanization and of the size of city populations. It also discusses how the lack of attention to data limitations has led to many myths and misconceptions in regard to growth rates for city populations and for nations' levels of urbanization. It ends with some comments on how data limitations distort urban policies.

Suggested Citation

  • David Satterthwaite, 2010. "Urban Myths and the Mis-use of Data that Underpin Them," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2010-028, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2010-028
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2010-28.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto F. Ades & Edward L. Glaeser, 1995. "Trade and Circuses: Explaining Urban Giants," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 110(1), pages 195-227.
    2. Sahn, David E. & Stifel, David C., 2003. "Progress Toward the Millennium Development Goals in Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 23-52, January.
    3. Fay, Marianne & Opal, Charlotte, 2000. "Urbanization without growth : a not-so-uncommon phenomenon," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2412, The World Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Evelyne Lazaro & Jytte Agergaard & Marianne Nylandsted Larsen & Jeremia Makindara & Torben Birch-Thomsen, 2019. "Urbanisation in Rural Regions: The Emergence of Urban Centres in Tanzania," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(1), pages 72-94, January.
    2. Deborah Potts, 2018. "Urban data and definitions in sub-Saharan Africa: Mismatches between the pace of urbanisation and employment and livelihood change," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 55(5), pages 965-986, April.
    3. Henderson, J. Vernon & Roberts, Mark & Storeygard, Adam, 2013. "Is urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa different ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6481, The World Bank.
    4. Marco Stampini & Marcos Robles & Mayra Sáenz & Pablo Ibarrarán & Nadin Medellín, 2016. "Poverty, vulnerability, and the middle class in Latin America," Latin American Economic Review, Springer;Centro de Investigaciòn y Docencia Económica (CIDE), vol. 25(1), pages 1-44, December.
    5. Ivan Turok, 2013. "Securing the resurgence of African cities," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(2), pages 142-157, March.
    6. Dijkstra, Lewis & Florczyk, Aneta J. & Freire, Sergio & Kemper, Thomas & Melchiorri, Michele & Pesaresi, Martino & Schiavina, Marcello, 2021. "Applying the Degree of Urbanisation to the globe: A new harmonised definition reveals a different picture of global urbanisation," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    7. van Duijne, Robbin Jan, 2019. "Why India’s urbanization is hidden: Observations from “rural” Bihar," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Vanhatalo, Jaana & Partanen, Jenni, 2022. "Exploring the spectrum of urban area key figures using data from Finland and proposing guidelines for delineation of urban areas," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    9. Anima Gupta, 2014. "Measuring Urbanization around a Regional Capital: The Case of Bhopal District," Working Papers id:5716, eSocialSciences.
    10. David Mayer-Foulkes, 2011. "Urbanization as a Fundamental Cause of Development," Working Papers DTE 501, CIDE, División de Economía.
    11. Duncan A Smith, 2017. "World city populations 1950–2030: Proportional circle time series map," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 49(1), pages 3-5, January.
    12. Potts, Deborah, 2012. "Challenging the Myths of Urban Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Evidence from Nigeria," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 1382-1393.

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