Abstract

Southeast Asia’s urban studies literature has long focused on mega-urbanization, referring to globally induced urban transformation around several selected capitals and primate cities, i.e. Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok (Douglass 2000; Jones 2002; McGee 1995). However, megacities and their associated mega-urbanization are exceptional phenomena and do not represent the common phenomena experienced by the smaller or “ordinary” metropolitan areas. A large number of secondary metropolitan areas transform into regional or national activity centers focusing on key selected economic sectors such as manufacturing industry.