Urban governance and sustainability are rapidly becoming key issues around the world. Currently three billion people - half the population of the planet - live in cities; and by 2050 a full two-thirds of the worlds population will be housed in ever larger and increasingly densely populated urban areas. The economic; social and environmental challenges posed by urbanization on such a large scale and at such a rapid pace are staggering for local; regional and national governments working towards sustainability. Solutions to the myriad problems plaguing the quest for sustainability at the city-level are equally as diverse and complex; but are rooted in the assumptions of the sustainability agenda; developed at the Rio Earth Summit and embodied in Local Agenda/Action 21. These assumptions state that good governance is a necessary precondition for the achievement of sustainable development; particularly at the local level; and that the mobilization of local communities is an essential part of this process. Yet until now; these assumptions; which have guided the policies and programmes of over 6000 local authorities around the world; have never been seriously tested.Drawing on three years of field research in 40 European towns and cities; Governing for Sustainable Cities is the first book to examine empirically the processes of urban governance in sustainable development. Looking at a host of core issues including institutional and social capacity; institutional design; social equity; politics; partnerships and cooperation and creative policy-making; the authors draw compelling conclusions and offer strong guidance. This book is essential reading for policy-makers; politicians; activists and NGOs; planners; researchers and academics; whether in Europe; North America; Australasia or transitional and developing countries; concerned with advancing sustainability in our rapidly urbanizing world.
#3107266 in eBooks 2012-06-12 2012-06-12File Name: B007ZDDH8W
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