Urbanization Processes in the Global Dimension: A Comparative Analysis

The article presents a comparative analysis of urbanization processes in the global context with a focus on spatial, social, economic, and environmental aspects. It highlights differences in urbanization dynamics based on countries’ income levels, the scale of agglomeration growth, and the nature of their spatial expansion. A typology of urbanization models is proposed within the coordinates of «scale – regulation». Particular attention is given to the spatial effects of urbanization, including socio-economic concentration, inequality formation, and environmental risks. The importance of qualitative characteristics of urbanization as a factor of sustainable spatial development is substantiated, emphasizing the need for balanced governance policies in the face of global transformations, climate change, demographic pressure, and structural reorganization of urban systems.