Recent rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is character-ized by broad geographical dispersion, diversities of scales and technological levels, and the proliferation of small-scale township and individual enterprises. Such a pattern of fast development has brought widespread environmental perturbation that is becoming difficult to contain or control. This study surveys the present environmental status in urban areas of PRD, assesses the trends of environmental quality, and evaluates the ecological impacts of development in the region. General rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is character-ized by broad geographical dispersion, diversities of scales and technological levels, and the proliferation of small-scale township and individual enterprises. Such a pattern of fast development has sent out Environmental perturbation that is becoming difficult to contain or control. This study surveys the present environmental status in urban areas of PRD, assesses the trends of environmental quality, and evaluates the ecological impacts of development in the region.