This is the most comprehensive and readable book on urban geography in the array of contemporary literature on the subject.

Pacione (geography, U. of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland) presents instructors and students of the contemporary city with an updated introduction to the expanding field of urban studies. Coverage includes an overview of the field and the importance of a global perspective; a history of the urbanizing world; urban structure and land use change in Western cities; economy, society and politics in the Western city; Third World urban geography; and the future of the city--cities of the future. Each of the 30 chapters have been revised to incorporate recent developments, the glossary expanded, and chapter references and notes updated. The third edition contains new and expanded discussion of metacities, boomburgs, public space, urban sprawl, balanced communities, urban economic restructuring, poverty and financial exclusion, the right to the city, urban policy, reverse migration, and traffic and transport problems. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)