城镇化正在成为中国发展的新引擎。对城镇化的准确理解，需要切入世界现代史的大背景。城镇化是所有现代国家兴起的最重要的动力。城市从古典形态向现代形态的转变，对于城市是否能够推动国家现代化发展，起着决定性的作用。现代城市体系是国家体系中政治、经济、文化、科技、教育诸方面发展的强劲动力，是国家权力体系得以实施的支撑。城市的相对独立地位、城市特色、城市规划、城市建设，决定着一座城市在竞争中的兴衰趋势。而一个国家形成大、中、小城市各得其所的发展格局，拒斥资源吞噬性的单一中心城市，是健全的城市体系推动成熟的国家发展之必须，是国家昌盛的保证。

 Urbanization is becoming the engine of Chinas development. To understand urbanization precisely, its necessary to refer to the grand historic background of modern world. Urbanization is undoubtedly the most important driven force for the rising of all the modern states, within which, the transformation of the city from ancient forms to modern forms has decisive effects on whether the city is able to propel the states modern development. The system of modern city provides tremendous impetus for the vigorous development of various aspects in the state system, including politics, economy, culture, technology, education, and gives support to the implementation of the states power system. A citys comparatively independent status, characteristics, urban planning and constructions determine the rise and fall of the city in competitions. Whether a state is capable of achieving a development pattern, whereby large, mediumsized and small cities play their proper roles while rejecting central cities that consume most of the resources, is not only essential for a healthy city system to encourage mature national development, but also a guarantee for the states prosperity.