The complex, multi-faceted process of globalization has profound implications for planning. In this text these are explored in relation to the urban, regional and environmental problems that planning faces, the changes in planning theory and the nature of planning practice and professionalism. Content: planning in a global era, globalization, world cities, and urban planning: developing a conceptual framework, a global city in a developmental state: urban planning in Tokyo, the global city hypothesis for the periphery: a comparative case study of Mexico City, Istanbul and Guangzhou, etc.