由於資本主義的再結構，以及科技技術的創新，帶領了「發展的資訊模式」時代的來臨，而其影響所致，即在於使全球的一切經濟過程相互穿透，並且形成一個相互依賴的單位而運作，其結果不僅促成了國家權力的讓渡與政治疆界的模糊，亦牽動了時空關係的改變。這種時間與空間經驗的轉折可說是全球化的主要特徵，以此觀點來看待空間發展與變遷的問題，顯然與以往的都市化過程具有截然不同的經驗與本質。本文從分析全球化的核心特徵──時空場域的變遷，探討在全球化過程中所衍生的種種都市現象與問題；並且從全球地方化的觀點，解讀台灣的時間發展；最後嘗試回應未來空間發展的趨勢與挑戰：城市的不均衡經濟發展應如何克服？空間政治經濟學之影響為何？什麼型式的都市系統將主導都市發展？建構未來的永續都市環境之資源從何而來？在新的資訊經濟型態強調城市權力的同時，我們須更加認真地面對空間發展的課題，地方必須確定自己的角色定位，如此方能在新的運作邏輯中，創造實際連接的意義。
Due to the restructuring of capitalism and the new prominence of science and technology, the Informational Society has arrived. While the informational society has blurred state powers, political boundaries have transformed the time-space relationship due to the transparent and interdependent process of the global economy. Time-space transformation has been the major feature of globalization. Consequently, urban development and transformation problems have now fundamentally transformed. This work begins by analyzing the major feature of globalization, i.e. time-space transformation, to explore various globalization related urban phenomenon. Urban and rural development in Taiwan is then examined from the perspective of glocalization. Finally, this work attempts to solve future challenges in urban and rural development, namely: How should inequalities in urban-rural economic development be dealt with? What is the political economy of space? What urban patterns will guide future urban and rural development? Where do the resources supporting sustainable urban-rural environmental development come from? This work proposes that the new informational economic pattern and growing urban economic power are important trends. Consequently, urban-rural developmental problems require special attention. Specifically, urban and rural areas must cultivate appropriate niches. Only by so doing can urban and rural areas create a genuine connectivity regarding the new operational logic of globalization.
