International Handbook Of Urban Policy, Volume 3

‘The 22 authors who contributed their ideas to this volume deserve sincere appreciation for their attempt to present a clear and comprehensive discussion on urban policy issues in the developing world. They cover key policy issues that are at the forefront of both urban theory and practice nowadays, including urban fragmentation, evolving urban forms, population as well as labor and capital mobility, communicative planning, urban transport systems, urban agriculture, spatial economic disparities, and sustainability (environment, economic, and social). . . A noteworthy feature of the book is the use of well-conceived conceptual frameworks that frame the key policy issues. . . The main strengths of the book are its development of a number of conceptual frameworks and models that serve as excellent aids in policy analysis, the rich historical backgrounds of policies and programs, the comprehensive review of the literature that sheds light on the evolution of ideas and theories, and the new information on a number of African countries that portray recent events in the development of cities on that continent.’
– Aprodicio Laquian, Journal of Regional Science

This important Handbook reveals that most urban growth takes place in the less developed world and much of it represents over-urbanization – that is, urbanization in which most migrants cannot effectively compete for employment, cannot find adequate shelter and do not have the means to feed themselves properly. Yet, compared to rural poverty, urban poverty is widely regarded as the lesser of the two evils.

H.S. Geyer and his contributors highlight the enormous challenges posed by urbanization to decision-makers at all levels of government. This final volume, in a series of three original reference works, covers four broad themes including: urban growth patterns; spatial issues; policy issues; and urban growth determinants.

The chapters have been written not only for the advanced student and academics but also with undergraduate students in mind. The Handbook will appeal to scholars and researchers interested in international urban development issues.

Contents:

Preface

PART I: GROWTH PATTERNS
1. Introduction: Urban Growth Patterns – Trends and Policy Issues
M. Pacione

PART II: SPATIAL ISSUES
2. Urban Fragmentation: Different Views on its Causes and Consequences
K. Landman

3. Urban Form Revisited: An Account of Views on the Issues
A.S. Steyn and H.S. Geyer

4. The Mobility of Labour and Capital: The Urban Implications of Changing International Trends
J.J. Klink

5. Differential Urbanization: Linking First and Developing World Experiences
B. Graizbord, D. Mookherjee and H.S. Geyer

PART III: POLICY ISSUES
6. Communicative Planning: Experiences, Prospects and Predicaments
V. Watson

7. Transformation of Urban Public Transport Systems in the Global South
P. Wilkinson, A. Golub, R. Behrens, P. Salazar Ferro and H. Schalekamp

8. Sources of Disaster Vulnerability of the Urban Poor: Issues and Views
J. Pantelic and B. Srdanovic

9. Urban Agriculture: Advances, Opportunities and Application
M. Dubbeling and H. de Zeeuw

10. Urban Ecology: Policy Issues Resolved and Unresolved
S.S. Cilliers, J.E. Drewes, M.J. Du Toit and D.P. Cilliers

11. Urban–rural Inequalities in South and South-East Asia: Colonial Policy Impacts and Current Spatial–Economic Disparities
S. Mukherji

PART IV: GROWTH DETERMINANTS
12. Creativity, Wellbeing and Urban Sustainability: Areas in Which the North and the South Can Learn from Each Other
H.S. Geyer

Index