Small Town Sustainability : Economic, Social, and Environmental Innovation

Sustainability in small towns - in the second, enlarged edition In an age where the globalization process is threatening the uniqueness and vitality of small towns, and where most urban planning discourse is directed at topics such as metropol-regions or mega-regions and world cities, the authors here emphasize the need to critically reflect on the potential of small towns. They illustrate how small towns can meet the challenge of a fast-paced, globalized world, and based on case studies, movements, programs, and strategies, present the local cultures that effectively and sustainably promote traditions and identities. Small towns often play a critical role in regional economies. When small towns focus on their specific characteristics and exploit their opportunities, they can become stable niches within regional, national, and global economies, and thus contribute significantly to shaping their future. The second edition is expanded to cover the intensive development of small towns in China and Korea. In addition, the authors examine the impact of the economic crisis on small towns and the recent development of the Slow City movement. * Expanded version of the successful first edition * Developing small cities in a sustainable way: the alternative model to booming megacities * International case studies expanded to include examples from China and Korea Preface 1. Introduction Why Focus on Small Towns? Globalisation and Small Town Development Liveability and Sustainability 2. Mobilising for Change in Small Towns Mobilisation Against Globalisation Local, Organic, Authentic, Slow Networking Toward Sustainability 3. Environmental Sustainability Sustainability Conflicts Environmental Problems in Small Towns The Big Picture: Global and Local Action Sweden’s Eko Kommun Movement Land Use and Urban Development Vigorous Small Town Responses 4. Inherited Identities: Built Form and Sense of Place The Legacy of Built Form A Cumulative Legacy The Social Construction of Place Affect and Intersubjectivity 5. Sustainability by Design Designs for Liveability Street Life: Content, Movement, and Conviviality 6. Sustainable Economies Economic Challenges Chasing Smokestacks or Developing Community? Alternative Economic Spaces Small Business Development Place Economies 7. Conviviality, Hospitality, and Local Products Conviviality Hospitality Local Products 8. Creativity and Culture Community-based Art, Culture, and Creativity The Creative Class Debate 9. Equity: Housing, Work, and Social Well-Being Equity and Social Well-Being The Institutional Infrastructure: Partnerships, Community Capacity, and Community Engagement 10. Small Town Development in Emerging Countries Small Towns in China Challenges and Problems of Chinese Small Towns Small Town Development in South Korea Cittaslow Towns in South Korea Lessons for Small Town Development in Emerging Countries 11. Conclusion: What Works (and What Doesn’t) Insights from Emerging Countries Will Small Towns Make a Difference? Critical Success Factors Notes Key References Internet Resources Index of Places Photo Credits

In an age where the globalization process is threatening the uniqueness and vitality of small towns, and where most urban planning discourse is directed at topics such as metropol-regions or mega-regions and world cities, the authors here emphasize the need to critically reflect on the potential of small towns.
They illustrate how small towns can meet the challenge of a fast-paced, globalized world, and based on case studies, movements, programs, and strategies, present the local cultures that effectively and sustainably promote traditions and identities. Small towns often play a critical role in regional economies. When small towns focus on their specific characteristics and exploit their opportunities, they can become stable niches within regional, national, and global economies, and thus contribute significantly to shaping their future.
The second edition is expanded to cover the intensive development of small towns in China and Korea. In addition, the authors examine the impact of the economic crisis on small towns and the recent development of the Slow City movement.

In einer Zeit, in der der Prozess der Globalisierung die Besonderheiten kleiner Städte und ihre Vitalität bedroht, und in der sich die meisten stadtplanerischen Diskussionen um Themen wie Metropolregionen oder Mega-Regionen und Weltstädte drehen, sehen die Autoren die Notwendigkeit, das Potenzial kleiner Ortschaften kritisch zu reflektieren. Sie veranschaulichen wie Kleinstädte die Herausforderung einer schnelllebigen und globalisierten Welt annehmen können, und stellen anhand von Fallbeispielen Bewegungen, Programme und Strategien vor, die örtliche Kulturen, Traditionen, Identitäten und Nachhaltigkeit effektiv zu fördern wissen. Kleinstädte spielen oftmals eine entscheidende Rolle innerhalb regionaler Wirtschaftssysteme. Wenn Kleinstädte sich auf ihre spezifischen Eigenschaften konzentrieren und ihre Möglichkeiten nutzen, können sie zu stabilen Nischen in regionalen, nationalen und globalen Ökonomien werden und wesentlich dazu beitragen, eine nachhaltige Zukunft zu gestalten In an era in which the individuality and vitality of small towns are under threat from globalization, and city planning discussions tend to center on topics like metropolitan regions, megaregions, and global cities, the authors of this volume see a need to reflect critically on the potential of small towns. They show how small towns can meet the challenge of a fast-paced, globalized world, and they use case studies to introduce movements, programs, and strategies capable of effectively promoting local cultures, traditions, identities, and sustainability. Small towns often play critical roles in regional economic systems. When small towns focus on their specific characteristics and take advantage of their opportunities, they can become stable niches within regional, national, and global economies and take on an important role in shaping a sustainable future. Small towns often play critical roles in regional economic systems. The authors of this volume show how small towns can meet the challenge of a globalized world, and they use case studies to introduce movements, programs, and strategies capable of effectively promoting local cultures, traditions, identities, and sustainability Covers the intensive development of small towns in China and Korea. This title examines the impact of the economic crisis on small towns and the development of the Slow City movement.