Sustaining Cities: Urban Policies, Practices, and Perceptions

New Directions in International Studies

by Linda Krause, Alfonso Iracheta (Contributor), Linda McCarthy (Contributor)

What has happened to cities after the global economic recession? Sustaining Cities answers this question by explaining how failed governmental policies contributed to urban problems and offering best practices for solving them. From social scientists and urban planners to architects and literary and film critics, the authors of this unique collection suggest real responses to this crisis. Could the drastic declines in housing markets have been avoided? Yes, if we reframe our housing values. Do you want to attract corporate investment to your town? You might want to think twice about doing so. The extinction of the “Celtic Tiger” may be charted in statistics, but the response in popular Irish mystery novels is much more compelling. China, while not immune to market vicissitudes, still booms, but at a considerable cost to its urban identities. Whether constructing a sustainable social framework for Mexican mega-cities or a neighborhood in London, these nine essays consider some strikingly similar strategies. And perhaps, as the contributors suggest, it’s time to look beyond the usual boundaries of urban, suburban, and exurban to forge new links among these communities that will benefit all citizens. Accessible to anyone with an interest in how cities cope today, Sustaining Cities presents a cautionary tale with a hopeful ending.

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2012

Reviews

[Colin Bruce Anthes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all essays here are created equal, but a surprising number are truly excellent. Collected in the wake of the Great Recession, the points made have recurring--if not expanded--relevance today.