ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book seeks to broaden contemporary discussions about sustainable urban regions by including research on East Asian cities. It outlines of new spatial policy in the Flanders region of Belgium, not all European regions or cities fit the compact city model. The book examines recent smart growth policies in Maryland. It compares divergent growth management regimes in New York and San Francisco. The book evaluates a strategy that uses indicators to measure progress towards sustainability and smart growth objectives. It argues that the strong growth management regime in Portland, Oregon has pushed sprawl into neighboring Clark County, Washington. The book compacts city policies by comparing Los Angeles, often seen as a paradigmatic case of sprawl, with Portland, typically hailed as an exemplar of smart growth policies. It looks at planning issues produced by a recent wave of high-density residential redevelopment in inner-city areas.
