Cities of the World: World Regional Urban Development 5th Revised edition

Remarkably, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and the numbers grow daily as people abandon rural areas. This fully updated and revised fifth edition of the classic text offers readers a comprehensive set of tools for understanding the urban landscape, and, by extension, the world's politics, cultures, and economies.

Remarkably, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and the numbers grow daily as people abandon rural areas. This fully updated and revised fifth edition of the classic text offers readers a comprehensive set of tools for understanding the urban landscape, and, by extension, the world's politics, cultures, and economies. Providing a sweeping overview of world urban geography, a group of noted experts explores the eleven major global regions. Each author presents the region's urban history, economy, culture, and society, as well as urban spatial models and problems and prospects. Environmental, human security, globalization, and cyberspace topics are fully developed as well. Vignettes of seventy-eight key cities give the reader a vivid understanding of daily life and the "spirit of place." An introductory chapter presents an overview of key terms and concepts, and a concluding chapter projects the world's urban future. Liberally illustrated with a new selection of photographs, maps, and diagrams, the text also includes a rich array of textboxes to highlight key topics ranging from gender and the city to Islamic fashion and global warming. Bibliographic sources, websites, and an appendix of UN data provide additional resources for helping students understand more about the urban world. Clearly written and timely, Cities of the World will be invaluable for those teaching introductory or advanced classes on global cities, regional geography, and urban studies. Contributions by: Amal K. Ali, Lisa Benton-Short, Alana Boland, Tim Brothers, Stanley D. Brunn, Kam Wing Chan, Ipsita Chatterjee, Megan Dixon, Robyn Dowling, Ashok K. Dutt, Irma Escamilla, Rina Ghose, Brian J. Godfrey, Mark Graham, Angela Gray-Subulwa, Jessica K. Graybill, Maureen Hays-Mitchell, Corey Johnson, Nathaniel M. Lewis, Linda McCarthy, Pauline McGuirk, Garth A. Myers, Arnisson Andre Ortega, Francis Owusu, George M. Pomeroy, Joseph L. Scarpaci, Dona J. Stewart, James A. Tyner, and Donald J. Zeigler.

Cities of the World offers a general overview of contemporary urbanization. It divides the world into 11 regions (e.g., Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle American, Caribbean) and for each discusses trends in urban growth, the distinctive forms and characteristics of its cities, and future prospects and challenges. These regional chapters open with two lists: key facts and key themes. Basic aspects of urban development (e.g., population size and change, economic activity, public services, urban problems) are covered. Short regional histories are provided; and distinctive or representative cities (e.g., Buenos Aires for South America and Kinshasa for sub-Saharan Africa) are given capsule descriptions. The editors (all academic geographers) begin with an introductory chapter on world urban development and end by reflecting on what cities might be like in the future... Suggested readings for each chapter are included... A basic introduction, Cities of the World is best used as a textbook. Summing Up: Recommended. CHOICE Cities of the World provides an exceptionally insightful, accessible window into the nature and changing character of contemporary cities. The global coverage of the book makes it possible for readers to appreciate the continuities and contrasts that define urban realms in different parts of the world. With essays penned by a series of distinguished contributors, and with introductory and concluding essays that draw out larger issues and themes, the book offers an unrivaled portrait of the places that are driving much of what happens in the world today. -- Alexander B. Murphy, University of Oregon

Chapter
1: Contemporary World Urbanization Donald J. Zeigler, Maureen Hays-Mitchell, and Stanley D. Brunn Chapter
2: Cities of the United States and Canada Lisa Benton-Short and Nathaniel Lewis Chapter
3: Cities of Middle America and the Caribbean Joseph L. Scarpaci, Irma Escamilla, and Tim Brothers Chapter
4: Cities of South America Maureen Hays-Mitchell and Brian J. Godfrey Chapter
5: Cities of Europe Linda McCarthy and Corey Johnson Chapter
6: Cities of Russia Jessica K. Graybill and Megan Dixon Chapter
7: Cities of the Greater Middle East Donald J. Zeigler, Dona J. Stewart, and Amal K. Ali Chapter
8: Cities of Sub-Saharan Africa Garth Myers, Francis Owusu, and Angela Gray Subulwa Chapter
9: Cities of South Asia Ipsita Chatterjee, George Pomeroy, and Ashok K. Dutt Chapter
10: Cities of Southeast Asia James Tyner and Arnisson Andre Ortega Chapter
11: Cities of East Asia Kam Wing Chan and Alana Boland Chapter
12: Cities of Australia and the Pacific Islands Robyn Dowling and Pauline McGuirk Chapter
13: Cities of the Future Stanley D. Brunn, Rina Ghose, and Mark Graham

Stanley D. Brunn is professor of geography at the University of Kentucky. Maureen Hays-Mitchell is professor of geography at Colgate University. Donald J. Zeigler is professor of geography at Old Dominion University.