City Futures: Confronting the Crisis of Urban Development (Global Issues Series (Zed Books))

Cities are the future. In the past two decades, a global urban revolution has taken place, mainly in the South. The 'mega-cities' of the developing world are home to over 10 million people each and even smaller cities are experiencing unprecedented population surges. The problems surrounding this influx of people - slums, poverty, unemployment and lack of governance - have been well-documented. This book is a powerful indictment of the current consensus on how to deal with these challenges. Pieterse argues that the current 'shelter for all' and 'urban good governance' policies treat only the symptoms, not the causes of the problem. Instead, he claims, there is an urgent need to reinvigorate civil society in these cities, to encourage radical democracy, economic resilience, social resistance and environmental sustainability folded into the everyday concerns of marginalised people. Providing a dynamic picture of a cosmopolitan urban citizenship, this book is an essential guide to one of the new century's greatest challenges. Cities are the future. In the past two decades, a global urban revolution has taken place, mainly in the South. The 'mega-cities' of the developing world are home to over 10 million people each and even smaller cities are experiencing unprecedented population surges. The problems surrounding this influx of people - slums, poverty, unemployment and lack of governance - have been well documented. City futures is a powerful indictment of the current consensus on how to deal with these challenges. Pieterse argues that the current 'shelter for all' and 'urban good governance' policies treat only the symptoms, not the causes of the problem. Instead, he claims, there is an urgent need to reinvigorate civil society in these cities, to encourage radical democracy, economic resilience, social resistance and environmental sustainability folded into the everyday concerns of marginalised people.

this Book Is A Powerful Indictment Of The Current Consensus On How To Cope With The Hundreds Of Mega-cities Of The Developing World. These Cities Are The Future, And The Problems Surrounding This Influx Of People--slums, Poverty, Unemployment And Lack Of Governance--have Been Well-documented. Pieterse Argues That The Current Shelter For All And Urban Good Governance Policies Treat Only The Symptoms Of The Problem. Instead, He Claims, There Is An Urgent Need To Reinvigorate Civil Society In These Cities, To Encourage Radical Democracy, Economic Resilience, Social Resistance And Environmental Sustainability Folded Into The Everyday Concerns Of Marginalized People.

Introduction : Deciphering City Futures -- Urbanization Trends And Implications -- Mainstream Agenda I : Shelter For All -- Mainstream Agenda Ii : Good Governance -- Reconceptualising The Political In Cities -- Informal Everyday Urbanism -- Counterpoint : Alternative Urban Development -- Making A Start Towards Alternative City Futures. Edgar Pieterse. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [177]-199) And Index. This Work Is An Attack On The Current Consensus On How To Deal With The Problems Of Mass Urbanization, Such As Slums And Poverty. Pieterse Argues That The Current 'shelter For All' And 'urban Good Governance' Policies Treat Only The Symptoms, Not The Causes Of The Problem, And Calls For A Reinvigoration Of Civil Society.