The Struggle Against the Metropolis: Asia and Africa

By Maria Yedda Linhares

A Book Review

In her book, The Struggle Against the Metropolis: Asia and Africa, Maria Yedda Linhares offers a powerful and insightful analysis of the complex relationship between cities and their hinterlands in the developing world. Drawing on case studies from across Asia and Africa, Linhares argues that the growth of large cities has led to a process of "metropolitanization" that has had a profound impact on the surrounding countryside.

The Process of Metropolitanization

Metropolitanization is the process by which a city grows and expands, absorbing the surrounding countryside and transforming it into a suburban or exurban area. This process is often driven by economic factors, such as the growth of industry and commerce in the city, which attracts people from the countryside in search of jobs. However, metropolitanization can also be driven by political factors, such as the desire of governments to centralize power and control in the capital city.

The Impact of Metropolitanization

The process of metropolitanization has had a profound impact on the surrounding countryside. In many cases, it has led to the displacement of rural populations, the loss of traditional livelihoods, and the degradation of the environment. In addition, metropolitanization has often exacerbated social inequalities, as the benefits of urban growth have been concentrated in the hands of a small elite, while the majority of the population has been left behind.

The Struggle Against the Metropolis

In response to the negative impacts of metropolitanization, many communities in Asia and Africa have organized themselves to resist the encroachment of the city. These struggles have taken a variety of forms, from protests and demonstrations to the formation of community organizations and cooperatives. In some cases, these struggles have been successful in slowing down or even reversing the process of metropolitanization.

The Importance of the Book

The Struggle Against the Metropolis is an important book that provides a valuable analysis of the complex relationship between cities and their hinterlands in the developing world. Linhares' work is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the challenges facing rural communities in the face of urban growth.

Why You Should Read This Book

If you are interested in the following topics, then you should read The Struggle Against the Metropolis:

• The relationship between cities and their hinterlands
• The process of metropolitanization
• The impact of metropolitanization on rural communities
• The struggles of rural communities to resist metropolitanization
• The importance of rural communities in the developing world

Conclusion

The Struggle Against the Metropolis is a powerful and insightful book that offers a valuable analysis of the complex relationship between cities and their hinterlands in the developing world. Linhares' work is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the challenges facing rural communities in the face of urban growth.