Tales of Two Cities: Women and Municipal Restructuring in London and Toronto - Hardcover

Bashevkin, Sylvia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0774812788 ISBN 13: 9780774812788

Publisher: UBC Press, 2006

Synopsis

"Tales of Two Cities" explores the impact of disparate political institutions and leaders on the lives of women citizens in London, England, Toronto, and Ontario. Sylvia Bashevkin examines three dimensions of urban citizenship before and after the creation of the Greater London Authority, and before and after the forced amalgamation of local boroughs in Toronto. Although, citizen engagement is relatively robust during periods of institutional decentralization and progressive urban leadership, it has generally been weaker when senior governments centralized power and conservative mayors held office. "Tales of Two Cities" will attract readers who are concerned about cities and their citizens. The book challenges prevailing emphases on the economic and cultural contributions of cities, arguing that the crucial role of urban institutions and leaders in shaping the democratic experiences of local citizens cannot be ignored.

About this title

Review:

Lucid, succinct, and highly accessible. Readers with an interest in urban affairs will find this book of great value, while its women-centred approach to urban citizenship will appeal to urban analysts and their students in a range of disciplines. The author’s comparative analysis of the social, political, and cultural characteristics of two cities that have recently experienced governmental reform is particularly compelling. (Nirmala Rao, co-author of Governing London)

This book links a rich and nuanced description of the roles women played in local government in Toronto and London to reflections on major political questions - the nature of urban citizenship and the relationship between gender and political inclusion. Tales of Two Cities contributes to our growing understanding about why cities matter and why women matter to cities. (Caroline Andrew, co-editor of Urban Affairs: Back on the Policy Agenda)

Review:

"Lucid, succinct, and highly accessible. Readers with an interest in urban affairs will find this book of great value, while its women-centred approach to urban citizenship will appeal to urban analysts and their students in a range of disciplines. The author's comparative analysis of the social, political, and cultural characteristics of two cities that have recently experienced governmental reform is particularly compelling." - Nirmala Rao, co-author of Governing London"

About this edition

• Publisher: UBC Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0774812788
• ISBN 13: 9780774812788
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 200