Argues that brownfields — “idle real property, the development or improvement of which is impaired by real or perceived contamination”— offer a sustainable land development source. By cleaning up and developing brownfield sites, we may be able to preserve or regenerate open space, reduce greenhouse emissions, and reinvest in urbanized areas. Presents case studies on land use and design from Providence RI, Trenton NJ, Portland OR, and Brewer ME.

(CITIES DERELICT LAND * BROWNFIELD REGENERATION * LAND USE IN CITIES)

Considers US urban issues: ineffectual and inegalitarian governance, extreme poverty, social and economic injustice, gentrification, and the failure of urban studies scholarship to propose viable solutions. Advocates remaking city economies via an array of local economic alternative development strategies (LEADS).

(CITIES * URBAN ISSUES IN U.S.)

Papers from a symposium on Energy Efficient Cities, addressing retrofit of existing systems to achieve energy efficiency. Papers cover transportation GHG emissions, green building rating tools, best practices in carbon-neutral infrastructure design, integrated urban models, and flexible demand-responsive transport.

(CITIES AND ENERGY * CITIES * ENERGY EFFICIENCY)

On systems thinking, energy efficiency, and sustainability as principles for urban design and growth. Case studies of Newcastle, Australia illustrate application of these Green Urbanism principles.

(GREEN URBANISM * CITIES)

On developing, managing, and maintaining sustainable urban communities. The authors critique the dominant small scale approach of social sustainability as ignoring the broader context and reproducing inequalities. Rather, social sustainability initiatives should be integrated within broader social processes.

(SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CITIES * CITIES)

Transport planning presents major challenges for countries facing rapid urbanization and rampant motorization, alongside growing commitments to sustainability. Challenges include coping with financial deficits, providing for the poor, energy shortages, traffic congestion, land use issues, and adopting green technologies. Workable responses to these problems are presented.

(TRANSPORTATION * CITIES)

As the world becomes more interconnected, geography will matter more than ever before. A mix of size, infrastructure, proximity, "buzz," and cost will determine which urban centers thrive in the future and which become the cities of the past.

(CITIES * REGIONS AND GLOBALIZATION)

In the absence of a comprehensive national policy, many large and mid-size cities (NYC, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Toledo, Syracuse) have taken the lead in addressing environmental issues and green economic development to improve quality of life.

(CITIES * SUSTAINABILITY)

Over 90% of urban growth is now occurring in the developing world and nearly two billion people will become urban residents in the next 20 years. Presents World Bank’s Urban and Local Development Strategy, structured around five thematic areas (the core elements of the city system, pro-poor policies, city economies, urban land and housing markets, sustainable urban development). Suggests ways for developing countries to maximize the benefits of urbanization while avoiding congestion costs. Discusses urban poverty policy considering the challenge of climate change.

(CITIES * URBANIZATION * DEVELOPMENT * POVERTY ALLEVIATION)

Papers presented at the World Bank’s Fifth Urban Research Symposium combine robust analytical pieces with best practices from around the world. Specific case studies include New Orleans and its fragile environment, poverty aspects in the cities, measuring the impact of cities on GHG emissions on the cities.

(CITIES * CLIMATE CHANGE)