Peri-urban transition leads to rapid spatial manifestations and environmental changes in the periphery across globe. The heterogeneous peripheral morphologies of the Global South depict land use changes, rapid real estate growth and unplanned development. Peri-urban regions face the challenges of dynamic metropolitan growth and the pressures of globalisation. Peri-urban areas differ globally; they differ in economic and social factors. The rural-urban frontier is a complex transition area in the Global South. Peri-urbanisation leads to population expansion; but often these pressures compromise environmental qualities in the Global South. Land use change is a major challenge to sustainability leading to decline in agriculture and environmental challenges. The transition process thus challenges the metropolitan cities of the Global South. This paper addresses sustainable urbanization as an alternative path essential for confronting problems of sustainability in the Global South.