PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT ON THE METROPOLITAN FRINGE - URBAN FRINGE EXPANSION IN BANGKOK, JAKARTA, AND SANTIAGO

This paper revisits the question of how best to characterize settlemen ts on the metropolitan fringe of developing countries. We examine the socio-economic composition and structure of such urban fringe settleme nts, using three sets of household surveys undertaken in Bangkok (Thai land), Jakarta (Indonesia), and Santiago (Chile) during June-August 19 90. The findings reveal the metropolitan fringe areas to be populated mainly by middle- and lower-middle-income households formally employed in service occupations. Informal economic activity exists, but is not significant. Micro-enterprises are the exception. Most fringe residen ts had moved from other neighborhoods within the capital city rather t han from rural settlements. Linkages to rural areas and to agriculture are largely absent; the fringe is spatially and functionally well-int egrated into the metropolitan economy. The paper recommends that forei gn-assistance program officers and local planners resist global ''comm on themes'' or approaches to development planning unique to metropolit an fringe areas.