Academic : Sociology : Communities. Classes. Races : Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology : Metropolitan areas

Spatial deconcentration of economic activities, particularly the growth of suburban office, retail and entertainment concentrations, has become a prime concern in European metropolitan areas. This book provides a cross-national comparative perspective on employment deconcentration within selected metropolitan areas in Europe. Whereas most debate over urban sprawl and deconcentration is oriented towards the North American context, this book aims at a better understanding of this phenomenon in the European context, emphasizing the location of economic activities rather than residential patterns. It provides insights on whether different governance attributes produce particular forms of deconcentration versus the influence of market attributes and local specificities, also commenting on quality of life impacts and possible governance and policy implications of the deconcentration process. Introduction of a comparative framework is followed by eight case study chapters, three representing northern Europe, three the south European-Mediterranean region and two post-communist central Europe. Most chapters examine two metropolitan areas, usually a large and a smaller one. The comparison reveals considerable variations in the magnitude, form, and process of employment deconcentration, only partly in line with expected influences of governance systems. Evidence does not fully confirm an anticipated distinction between Northern and Mediterranean Europe; the Czech Republic and Israel seem to diverge most from prevailing European trends. more...

Price: $155.00

The sprawling cities of the developing world are vibrant hubs of economic growth, but they are also increasingly ecologically unsustainable and, for ordinary citizens, increasingly unlivable. Pollution is rising, affordable housing is decreasing, and green space is shrinking. more...

Price: $15.95

'Large polycentric city-regions pose perplexing problems to social scientists and policy-makers. Not only do they represent complex socio-economic systems in their own right but they also increasingly function as the main locational anchors of wider globalization processes. This book provides a masterful analysis of these issues with a particular focus on the emergence dynamics and planning of polycentric city-regions in contemporary Europe' Allen Scott of University of California and author of Global City-Regions A new 21st century urban phenomenon is emerging: the networked polycentric mega-city region. Developed around one or more cities of global status it is characterized by a cluster of cities and towns physically separate but intensively networked in a complex spatial division of labour. This book describes and analyses eight such regions in North West Europe. For the first time this work shows how businesses interrelate and communicate in geographical space - within each region between them and with the wider world. It goes on to demonstrate the profound consequences for spatial planning and regional development in Europe - and by implication other similar urban regions of the world. The Polycentric Metropolis introduces the concept of a mega-city region analyses its characteristics examines the issues surrounding regional identities and discusses policy ramifications and outcomes for infrastructure transport systems and regulation. Packed with high quality maps case study data and written in a clear style by highly experienced authors this will be an insightful and significant analysis suitable for professionals in urban planning and policy environmental consultancies business and investment communities technical libraries and students in urban studies geography economics and town/spatial planning. more...

Price: $195.00

Redefining Urban and Suburban America explores demographic trends and their complexities, along with their implications for the policies and politics shaping metropolitan America. The shifts discussed here have significant influence in demand for housing and schools, childcare and healthcare, as well as private goods and services. more...

Price: $49.95