Understanding the Developing Metropolis; Lessons from the City Study of Bogotá and Cali, Colombia

This third and final volume from the City Study analyzes the structure of Bogota and Cali, Colombia by modelling different markets and the behavior of individuals, households, firms, and governments within these markets. Simple economic reasoning is used to understand the urban behavior that can determine a city's overall appearance and structure. The author underlines the importance of this understanding which, he argues, could lead to the creation of more effective urban policies. This study links infrastructure requirements and supply to the behavior of urban life and to the existing income distribution in the city. The author concludes that institutional responses to the rapidly changing and unpredictable demands of metropolitan residents must become an inherent part of city structure, and that this would be the most practical way of coping with urban growth.