URBAN TRANSPORTATION IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The past 100 years has seen significant growth in urbanization in most, if not all, countries of the world. in the late 19th century, only 10Y’o of the world’s population lived in cities. By 1927 that share was up to 21%. And by 19814094. of a much larger world population lived in cities.’ Recent data published by the World Bank indicate a strong correlation between a country’s economic growth and its level of urbanization. ’ For example, underdeveloped countries typically have city populations that account for less than 30”A of the total population, compared with 357’0 to 70?40for moderately developed countries and over 7070 for developed countries. When the People’s Republic of China (PRC) took its latest nationwide census in July of 1982, 236 cities were identified with a total population of 145 million— approximately 14 % of the country’s population. The PRC is keeping up with the universal trend toward urbanization: In 1983,20 cities had a population exceeding one million, 28 cities ranged in populations from one-half million to one million people, and 71 cities ranged in populations from 200,000 to one-half million people.’ In the PRC, suburban growth has occurred simultaneously with overall urban growth. The growth and movements of populations are strongly controlled by local governments, so that together with issues of city expansion, city governments must also deal with problems of residence, employment, travel, and traffic. Thus, urban transportation planning