ABSTRACT
Until now, much research in the field of urban planning and change has focused on the economic, political, social, cultural and spatial transformations of global cities and larger metropolitan areas. In this topical new volume, David Bell and Mark Jayne redress this balance, focusing on urban change within small cities around the world.
Drawing together research from a strong international team of contributors, this four part book is the first systematic overview of small cities. A comprehensive and integrated primer with coverage of all key topics, it takes a multi-disciplinary approach to an important contemporary urban phenomenon. The book addresses:
- political and economic decision making
- urban economic development and competitive advantage
- cultural infrastructure and planning in the regeneration of small cities
- identities, lifestyles and ways in which different groups interact in small cities.
Centering on urban change as opposed to pure ethnographic description, the book’s focus on informed empirical research raises many important issues. Its blend of conceptual chapters and theoretically directed case studies provides an excellent resource for a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as providing a rich resource for academics and researchers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|55 pages
The Political Economy Of Small Cities
chapter 4|14 pages
Jumping Scale: From Small Town Politics To A ‘Regional Presence’?
part 2|58 pages
The Urban Hierarchy And Competitive Advantage
part 3|69 pages
The Cultural Economy Of Small Cities
chapter 13|17 pages
Rethinking Small Places – Urban And Cultural Creativity
part 4|45 pages
Identity, Lifestyle And Forms Of Sociability