By many estimates, the world has recently crossed the point where more than half the global population is urban, a trend driven by rapid urbanization in developing countries. Urban centres offer economies of scale in terms of productive enterprise and public investment. Cities are social melting pots, centres of innovation, and drivers of social change. However, cities are also marked by social differentiation, poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation. These are all issues that not only matter to cities, but also lie at the heart of development. As such, the time is right to consider afresh the relationship between cities and development.
This volume presents a significant new collection of multidisciplinary papers focused on urbanization and its implications for development. It raises four questions: What is so special about the urban context? Why is urbanization and urban growth important to development at the present conjuncture? What are the strengths and limitations of our current state of knowledge about urbanization and development from the policy perspective? How can a multidisciplinary perspective on the urban context add value to development research and policy?
Leading scholars in urban economics examine the data and definitions associated with the field, and look in-depth at the economic and social consequences of urbanization. Special focus is given to urban violence, and planning and governance issues, and the text is supplemented by case studies demonstrating the recent effects of urbanization in key countries such as India, Brazil, Tanzania, Lebanon, and South Africa.
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Urbanization and Development: Multidisciplinary Perspectives provides a stimulating account of opportunities as well as challenges that the low and middle-income countries face. * Abdul Khakee, Scienze Regionali - Italian Journal of Regional Science *
This is a vital collection of essays exploring the full spectrum of perspectives on the connections between urbanization and human progress in the global South. It should be essential reading for academics and decision-makers in development studies, economic development, spatial planning, policy analysis and urban and regional studies. * Ivan Turok, Deputy Executive Director, Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa *
This volume is a welcome addition to the growing urban literature, particularly for exploring a multi-disciplinary approach to the relationship between cities and development and, equally, for recognising the hope and opportunity that cities can offer. * William Cobbett, Manager, Cities Alliance *
Thorough and authoritatively written; it makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of urban issues from a multidimensional perspective. The book also emphasizes the importance of the urban context in addressing developmental issues- a feature previously lacking in development policy. * Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka *
Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
This collection presents state of the art findings on cities and development which draw on a wide range of different but equally rigorous approaches from a variety of disciplines. It suggests some fresh methodological starting points for both academic and policy research on cities. It stages conversations amongst disciplinary perspectives which are currently seldom drawn together, and sets the agenda for the innovative and interdisciplinary research which is needed to respond to the substantial challenges of city life around the world. * Jennifer Robinson, Professor of Geography, University College London *
