Urban Corridors in Pacific Asia

Abstract

Although terms such as 'urban corridor' and 'Pacific Asia' have never been precisely defined, these two metaphors reflect an unprecedented sense of community and opportunity on the Asian Pacific Rim. The Time magazine in its January 11 and February 22 editions heralded two exciting cover stories relevant to the theme of this paper. The cover stories went on as follows: Megacities, the world's sprawling urban centers are rife with problems and filled with promise. By the millions the come, the ambitions and the down-trodden of the world drawn by the strange magnetism of urban life. For centuries the progress of civilization had been defined by the inexorable growth of cities. Now the world is about to pass a milestone. More people will live in urban areas than in the countryside. Does the growth of megacities portend an apocalypse of global epidemics and pollution? Or will the remarkable stirrings of self-reliance that can be found in some of the point the way to their salvation? Trade across the Pacific Rim already surpasses its transatlantic counterpart. With the apparent dawning of the Pacific Age years ahead of schedule, the East Asia will continue to set the world pace for prosperity.