Developing Frontier Cities: Global Perspectives ― Regional Contexts: 52 (GeoJournal Library, 52) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792360613 ISBN 13: 9780792360612

Publisher: Springer, 1999

Synopsis

The Unique Nature of Frontier Cities and their Development Challenge Harvey Lithwick and Yehuda Grad us The advent of government downsizing, and globalization has led to enormous com­ petitive pressures as well as the opening of new opportunities. How cities in remote frontier areas might cope with what for them might appear to be a devastating challenge is the subject of this book. Our concern is with frontier cities in particular. In our earlier study, Frontiers in Regional Development (Rowman and Littlefield, 1996), we examined the distinction between frontiers and peripheries. The terms are often used interchangeably, but we believe that in fact, both in scholarly works and in popular usage, very different connotations are conveyed by these concepts. Frontiers evoke a strong positive image, of sparsely settled territories, offering challenges, adventure, unspoiled natural land­ scapes, and a different, and for many an attractive life style. Frontiers are lands of opportunity. Peripheries conjure up negative images, of inaccessibility, inadequate services and political and economic marginality. They are places to escape from, rather than frontiers, which is were people escape to. Peripheries are places of and for losers.

About this title

Review

`In general, the collective volume makes a very good impression and leaves few doubts concerning the high degree of proficiency of it authors and editors. Unquestionably, the book may appeal to a wide audience, ranging from economists and regional planners to students of population geography, and all those concerned with the future of regional development planning.'
International Journal of Population Geography, 7:1 (2001)

Synopsis

This book examines the impact of globalization on frontier cities, and how various frontier cities in different regions have responded to these forces. The volume includes a number of theoretical chapters exploring various aspects of global change, including the economic, spatial and geopolitical dimensions. A longer section includes a number of case studies of frontier cities that have adapted to these changes. A number of countries as well as city types, from small towns to frontier metropolises, are examined, providing a broad overview of developmental alternatives.Emphasis is placed on the importance of initiatives from below, that is, efforts that do not depend on the planning and budgetary resources of national governments, since these are generally no longer forthcoming in an era of government down-sizing. The book will appeal to students in planning, geography, economics and regional studies, as well as to local officials who are concerned with urban development strategies, and their prospects in the new millennium.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792360613
• ISBN 13: 9780792360612
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 366
• Editor: Lithwick Harvey, Gradus Yehuda