Summary

As urbanization continues, and even accelerates, scientists estimate that by 2015 the world will have up to 60 'megacities' - urban areas with more than five million inhabitants. With the irresistible economic attractions of urban centers, particularly in developing countries, making the influx of citizens unstoppable, many of humankind's coming social, economic and political dramas will be played out in megacities. This book shows how geographers and Earth scientists are contributing to a better understanding of megacities.

The contributors analyze the impact of socio-economic and political activities on environmental change and vice versa, and identify solutions to the worst problems. They propose ways of improving the management of megacities and achieving a greater degree of sustainability in their development. The goals, of wise use of human and natural resources, risk reduction (both social and environmental) and quality of life enhancement, are agreed upon. But, as thistext proves, the means of achieving these ends are varied. Hence, chapters cover an array of topics, from health management in Indian megacities, to planning in New York, to transport solutions for the chronically traffic-choked Bangkok. Authors cover the impact of climate change on megacities, as well as less tangible issues such as socio-political fragmentation in the urban areas of Rio de Janeiro.

This exploration of some of the most crucial issues that we face as a species sets out research that is of the utmost importance, with the potential to contribute substantially to global justice and peace - and thereby prosperity.

Choice Review

This collection's 15 substantive chapters cover a range of issues from water quality and food security to social conflict, informal settlements, foreign direct investment, and e-governance. With one exception (a chapter on urban planning in New York City), the focus is placed on the large and rapidly growing cities of the global South. Most of the discussions are situated in specific cities; for example, bus rapid transit in Bogata (Colombia), informal infrastructure provision in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and inner-city development in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Overall, the chapters are broad rather than detailed in approach. Two of them, both set in China, deviate from the use of cases: one provides an analysis of a large, quantitative data set of business practices in the Pearl River Delta, and the other a survey of African migrants to the cities of Guangzhou and Foshan. Five chapters discussing climate change, underground development, land rights, governance, and e-governance make no reference to specific places. Excepting the rubric of megacities, the book lacks integrative intent and is weakened by the generality of the writing. A work most suited to comprehensive collections. Summing Up: Optional. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate students. R. A. Beauregard Columbia University