The inner cities remain concentrations of the uneducated, unemployed, underemployed, and unemployable. Many fail to stay in school, and most do not marry, leading to single-parent households. The cycle repeats itself generation after generation. Presents strategies and programs to rebuild lives and revitalize America’s inner cities, and describes workforce development, prisoner reentry, and the role of nonprofit organizations with a view to improve America’s workforce through building human capital at the socioeconomic bottom.

(CITIES * POVERTY IN U.S. * WORK * HUMAN CAPITAL)

Homeless people have no permanent residence and seek security, rest, and protection from the elements. They live in areas that are not designated to be shelters, occupy structures without permission, or are provided emergency shelters by various organizations. Their number has grown and the complexity of the issue has increased. Discusses what steps private, charitable, and public organizations can take to alleviate and eventually solve the problem, with a variety of case studies that bring together different perspectives. Concludes with a resource section that highlights government policies and programs addressing this problem.

(HOMELESSNESS * HOUSING * POVERTY * CITIES)

There’s just a three-day supply of food available for any given city due to complex, just-in-time international supply chains. The system is not only vulnerable but also environmentally unsustainable for the long term. Examines alternative food systems in cities worldwide—London (gardeners grow on some 30,000allotment plots), Paris, Russia (65% of Moscow households grow some of their own food), Vancouver (promoting edible landscaping), Toronto, Los Angeles (supporting 100 schoolyard food gardens), Milwaukee, Detroit (Hantz Frms will be “the world’s largest urban farm”), Chicago, New York (now home to two major rooftop farms), and Cuba (“urban agriculture on a national scale”)-- that are shortening their food chains, growing food within city limits, and taking “food security” in their own hands. Growing spaces in the cities include rooftops, backyards, vacant lots, along roadways, and even in “vertical farms” reusing industrial buildings and derelict inner-city lots. [NOTE: A fascinating and upbeat tour of many exciting projects.]

(FOOD AND AGRICULTURE * CITIES AND FOOD * URBAN AGRICULTURE * ALTERNATIVE FOOD SYSTEMS)

Explores the growing interest in temporary, interim, ‘pop-up’ or ‘meanwhile’ uses for land and buildings in urban areas. Using 68 diverse case studies from Europe and North America, the authors challenge our preoccupation with long-term strategies and master plans, and question our ability to achieve them in the face of increasing resource constraints and political and economic uncertainty. Topics include the dream of permanence, drivers and conditions of temporary urbanism, site life and the private sector, temporary arenas for consumption, the city as a stage, creative cities and the gentrification dilemma, planning for temporary activity, etc.

(CITIES * TEMPORARY CITIES)

The problems created by metropolitanization have become increasingly apparent. Attempts to limit growth, disperse populations, and plan neighborhoods have been largely unsuccessful. Angotti questions urban planning’s inability to integrate urban and rural systems, its contribution to the growth of inequality, and increasing enclave development throughout the world. In contrast to “urban orientalism,” which underpins modern urban planning grounded in global inequalities, Angotti proposes a new, progressive approach to community and metropolis in the 21C. When the city is understood as a necessary and beneficial acccompaniment to social progress, a progressive, humane approach to urban planning can be developed.

(CITIES * METROPOLITAN AREAS * PROGRESSIVE CITIES)

Juxtaposes the best classic and contemporary writings on the city. The 57 selections (including 17 new essays) discuss topics such as the evolution of cities, urban culture and society, urban space, urban politics, governance and economics, urban planning history and visions, urban planning theory and practice, perspectives on urban design, and cities in a global society. Includes a bibliography of 100 top books about cities.

(CITIES: OVERVIEW)

Examines examples of both urban decay and destruction as well as urban rebirth. Shows why particular approaches were successful, or did not achieve their objectives. By bringing together innovative approaches to urban living from across the world, and by demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to global solutions, establishes a framework in which to evaluate current and future developments for urban change, and to stimulate a reassessment of urban redevelopment and policies.

(CITIES * RETROFITTING CITIES * URBAN DECAY * URBAN REBIRTH)

There has been a renewed focus on local and self-styled responses to the challenges of climate change and its consequences. Cities are likely to bear some of the greatest costs of climate change and are critical sites of innovation. As a highly unequal coastal city with limited resources to manage the demand for a more resilient and equitable future, the Cape Town response to climate change challenges presents an especially provocative case study of the challenges of urban transformation in the context of climate change. Topics include 1) producing ‘localised’ scientific knowledge on the marine freshwater interface in the face of climate change; 2) understanding risks to Cape Town of inundation from the sea; 3) developing an integrated municipal coastal protection zone for the city of Cape Town; 4) opportunities and challenges in establishing a low carbon zone in the Western Cape Province, 5) setting a city-scale legal framework for climate change adaptation, etc.

(CLIMATE CHANGE * COASTAL CITIES * CAPE TOWN ADAPTATION)

Drawing on years of research experience and observations of the triumphs and problems in China’s cities, uncovers urban dynamism and complexity amid dramatic changes in the Chinese economy and society and explores the consequences of current development paths and emerging technologies on urban economies, the people, and the environment. Covers such topics as history and patterns of urbanization, spatial and regional context, models of urban form, social-spatial transformation, economic restructuring, urbanism and cultural dynamics, housing and land development, environmental issues, and challenges of urban governance.

(CITIES * CHINA * CHINESE CITIES)

Community visioning is key in helping local public officials and community leaders create a flourishing future for their cities, and is essential for the effective planning and implementation of these strategies. Visioning involves collaborative goal setting to motivate actions – of planners, citizens, and officials – in order to design and carry out a strategic planning process for the successful development of the community. Focuses on small and medium sized communities in North America and aims to guide citizens, local leaders and planners on what strategies are best to help them revitalize their communities and ensure a prosperous future.

(CITIES * URBAN PLANNING * COMMUNITY VISIONING * METHODS)