The majority of the world's population now live in cities, nearly a quarter of which boast populations of one million or more. The rise of globalisation has granted cities unprecedented significance, both politically and economically, leading to benefits and problems at national and international levels. The Handbook of Emerging 21st-Century Cities explores the changes that are occurring in cities, and the impacts that they are having, at the local, national and global scale. Bringing together voices from around the world, this Handbook provides an interdisciplinary view of the changes that are happening in emerging cities, examining a range of topics from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. With chapters covering changes in urban economies, social dynamics, and emerging technology this Handbook radically rethinks the dynamics of cities in the 21st century, including those in the global south. The Handbook of Emerging 21st-Century Cities is an important addition to the literature, and is a useful resource for students of geography, economics, sociology, anthropology and urban planning. Its insights will also be of value for public administrators and urban planners, and anyone else whose work impacts on, or is impacted by, cities. Contributors include: R. Aijaz, K. Archer, K. Bezdecny, R. Bower, M.M. Brannon, P. Carmody, Y.-w. Chu, B. Coffyn Mitchell, E. Fekete, R. Ghadge, R. Grant, L.A. Herzog, W.G. Holt, D. Honnery, A. Jansson, O.A. K'Akumu, M. Klausen, J. Lauermann, P. Moriarty, J.T. Murphy, A.C. Oner, F. Owusu, B. Pasin, V. Peiteado Fernandez, J. Richardson, C. Saldana, B. Warf, P.D.A. Wood

With an ever-growing majority of the world's human population living in city-spaces, the relationship between cities and nature will be one of the key environmental issues of the 21st Century. This timely book investigates how the rapidly growing number of city dwellers across the globe relate to their natural environments and what this means for the future of these environments. Offering an interdisciplinary approach to the impacts of urban spaces on the future of the environment, the book is a full-scale attempt to radically rethink the relationship between cities and nature. The editors bring together a diverse set of well-known authors and new voices to explore the various aspects of this relationship both theoretically and empirically. Rather than considering cities as wholly separate from nature, a running theme throughout the book is that cities, and city dwellers, should be characterized as intrinsic in the creation of specifically urban-generated 'socio-natures'. An essential resource for those working at the intersection of cities and the environment, it will be of great value to urbanists, geographers, planners, sociologists, economists, anthropologists, policy makers, public administrators and environmental scientists. Contributors include: K. Archer, L. Benton-Short, J.M. Berry, G. Bettini, K. Bezdecny, J. Bratt, V.C. Broto, K. Davidson, R.M. Friend, N. Gabriel, B. Gleeson, L. Guibrunet, D. Houston, R. Jones, M. Kaika, L. Karaliotas, M. Keeley, J. Kitson, T.W. Luke, R. Pizarro, K.E. Portney, J. Ravetz, J. Rennie Short, J. Rowland, T.G. Smith, E. Swyngedouw, P. Thinphanga, R.H. Wilson

Much has been written about the economic and political implications of the contemporary process of globalization. Much less has been written about the specific cultural implications. Previously published as a special issue of Globalizations, this book seeks to add to our knowledge of the latter by bringing together researchers from different disciplines with the common goal of exploring the emerging cultural relations among groups and individuals in terms of coherence and hybridity, identity and allegiance, and cooperation and conflict. As the world's peoples increasingly travel, work, trade, recreate, and otherwise communicate with each other, relative cultural isolation (and isolationism) is becoming less and less possible. What does this mean for cultural coherence, stability and identity across the planet? What have been the cultural implications of, and reactions to, this increasing global interdependence among peoples? From more global and theoretical perspectives to more empirical and case-specific approaches, the various authors attempt to come to terms with the ever evolving and complex cultural content of contemporary globalization.

Much has been written about the economic and political implications of the contemporary process of globalization. Much less has been written about the specific cultural implications. Previously published as a special issue of Globalizations, this book seeks to add to our knowledge of the latter by bringing together researchers from different disciplines with the common goal of exploring the emerging cultural relations among groups and individuals in terms of coherence and hybridity, identity and allegiance, and cooperation and conflict. As the world's peoples increasingly travel, work, trade, recreate, and otherwise communicate with each other, relative cultural isolation (and isolationism) is becoming less and less possible. What does this mean for cultural coherence, stability and identity across the planet? What have been the cultural implications of, and reactions to, this increasing global interdependence among peoples? From more global and theoretical perspectives to more empirical and case-specific approaches, the various authors attempt to come to terms with the ever evolving and complex cultural content of contemporary globalization.

The City: The Basics provides a brief yet compelling overview of the study of cities and city life. The book draws on a range of perspectives economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects are all considered to provide a broad comparison of the evolution of cities in the rich Global North and the poorer Global South. Topics covered in the book include:

• a brief history of cities from ancient times to the post-modern present
• the differences between "global cities" in the North and "megacities" in the South
• the environmental impact of urban life and the idea of sustainable cities
• urban planning, urban politics and urban poverty.

Featuring suggestions for further reading, recommended websites and a number of maps and illustrations, this is the ideal starting point for those interested in any aspect of cities or urban studies.

The City: The Basics provides a brief yet compelling overview of the study of cities and city life. The book draws on a range of perspectives economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects are all considered to provide a broad comparison of the evolution of cities in the rich Global North and the poorer Global South. Topics covered in the book include:

• a brief history of cities from ancient times to the post-modern present
• the differences between "global cities" in the North and "megacities" in the South
• the environmental impact of urban life and the idea of sustainable cities
• urban planning, urban politics and urban poverty.

Featuring suggestions for further reading, recommended websites and a number of maps and illustrations, this is the ideal starting point for those interested in any aspect of cities or urban studies.

"In Lieu of Heaven" follows two men as they search for God. One man

"In Lieu of Heaven" follows two men as they search for God. One man