The authors provide short or longer essays-ranging from several paragraphs to page-long entries-oncore terms and concepts in the field. The strength of this assemblage by Gottdiener (Univ. at Buffalo), Budd (The OpenUniv.), and Lehtovuori (Tampere Univ. of Technology, Finland) is its critical approach to the concepts and, in many entries, its overview of historical and contemporary theories and perspectives on ... Read morethem. The work will be valuable as an introductory or a companion reader for undergraduate and graduate students in urban studies, urban planning, urban design, and related fields, providing a starting point or context for in-depth exploration of concepts and theories. Content is substantially different from the first edition. New entries were added (e.g., Temporary Uses and Adaptive Urbanism ) and a few entries omitted to reflect changing emphases in the field. Much content was rewritten, consolidated, condensed, and updated. Geographic coverage was expanded beyond the US and UK, particularly to include perspectives and practices from Asia.
B. Stoffel, Illinois State University The strengths of the book are many and varied. Focusing on the `essential' topics in urban studies, the book outlines key concepts in a way that is both authoritative and accessible... Locating key concepts within the wider international body of literature, the book is able to cross reference many strands of theory and research relevant to an impressively wide array of subjects. The book offers the reader a range of contemporary and international examples in order to aid understanding, with up-to-date statistical evidence presented in easy to read tables, graphs and charts. Written as a study aid as well as a practical guide to the comprehension of the main issues in urban studies, the extensive links to the key literature make this a very good vehicle for encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of what can be very complex issues.
Joe Crawford, Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews The authors do not profess to address all concepts in the field of urban studies, but rather present topics that they deem appropriate and include commentaries that reflect their own expertise and perspectives. As such, some topics that existed in the First Edition have been either rewritten or combined in this Second Edition, and six new topics have been inserted, including Sustainable Urbanization, Temporary Uses and Adaptive Urbanism, and Globalization and Meltdown. Furthermore, the authors have expanded the cases and examples given throughout the book to stretch beyond UK and US experiences.
Christine Ro This book provides an insightful multidisciplinary introduction to the multifarious places, processes and problems that constitute modern cities. Its short, digestible entries unpack the complexity and evolution of urban conditions, offering cross-references between concepts and links to key literature and to useful current and historical examples. The book's clear, often sharp critical edge also encourages deeper enquiry.
Quentin Stevens Key Concepts in Urban Studies is written in an accessible, concise way and introduces students to the key topics in urban studies. Drawing examples from different parts of the world, this authoritative resource exposes students to the diverse forms that cities take, and the social, spatial and temporal dimensions of urban living. It is an essential resource for students across disciplines interested in the city.
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