The desire of governments for a renaissance of their cities is a defining feature of contemporary urban policy. From Melbourne and Toronto to Johannesburg and Istanbul; government policies are successfully attracting investment and middle-class populations to their inner areas. Regeneration - or gentrification as it can often become - produces winners and losers. There is a substantial literature on the causes and unequal effects of gentrification; and on the global and local conditions driving processes of dis- and re-investment. But there is little examination of the actual strategies used to achieve urban regeneration - what were their intents; did they succeed (and if not why not) and what were the specific consequences? Whose Urban Renaissance? asks who benefits from these urban transformations. The book contains beautifully written and accessible stories from researchers and activists in 21 cities across Europe; North and South America; Asia; South Africa; the Middle East and Australia; each exploring a specific case of urban regeneration. Some chapters focus on government or market strategies driving the regeneration process; and look closely at the effects. Others look at the local contingencies that influence the way these strategies work. Still others look at instances of opposition and struggle; and at policy interventions that were used in some places to ameliorate the inequities of gentrification. Working from these stories; the editors develop a comparative analysis of regeneration strategies; with nuanced assessments of local constraints and counteracting policy responses. The concluding chapters provide a critical comparison of existing strategies; and open new directions for more equitable policy approaches in the future. Whose Urban Renaissance? is targeted at students; academics; planners; policy-makers and activists. The book is unique in its geographical breadth and its constructive policy emphasis; offering a succinct; critical and timely exploration of urban regeneration strategies throughout the world.
#2015998 in eBooks 2015-11-26 2015-11-26File Name: B019WRKFZQ
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Brian BallVery clear. well written6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Superb. entertaining and informative!By Steve S.This is a superb book! It provides a magnificent overview of the development of the country house in and around Philadelphia. There is an abundance of technical information in the book which provides a real gold mine for those interested in such details. bit it can easily be skimmed over by those not so inclined. The historical.pictures are fascinating. particularly the inclusion of some comparisons with New England trends and those in the "mother country" England itself. My only unfulfilled desire was to see some contemporary colored photographs of how the places appear today----but this is really a minor criticism in the face of the embarrassment of riches this book provides.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent History of Bourgeois Architecture in Colonial AmericaBy Erik M. AndersonAs an amateur student of architecture. I found this book surprisingly accessible. and filled with great information about the rise of the "colonial" architecture used by the bourgeoisie in early America. It starts by giving a great synopsis of the architectural and landscape developments and trends in England that influenced the colonies. If you are looking to study early American architecture. this is a great resource. The reader also shouldnt be discouraged based on the title - the reason for the focus on Philadelphia is elaborated on in the book. but essentially the region saw the widest use of country houses for a variety of reasons. In fact. the entire first two chapters deal with architecture from areas other than Philadelphia. The book also provides extensive end notes useful for further reading.
