Figure 6.24: FIGURE 6.24 PHOTO ESSAY: and Southwest Asia Urbanization in North Africa and Southwest AsiaGlobalization has brought two distinct patterns of urbanization to this region. In fossil fuel–rich countries, populations are more urbanized and city governments have undertaken lavish building booms, drawing in laborers and highly skilled workers from across the globe. In countries without fossil fuel wealth, cities are receiving massive fl ows of poor, rural migrants. This is partially a result of economic reforms (emphasizing export agriculture and industrialization) aimed at making rural and urban economies more globally competitive.