Cities, Change, and Conflict: A Political Economy of Urban Life

By Nancy Kleniewski, Alexander R. Thomas, Alexander Thomas

Book Overview

Cities, Change, and Conflict was one of the first texts to embrace the perspective of political economy as its main explanatory framework, and then complement it with the rich contributions of human ecology as well as perspectives derived from critical approaches to social theory. Although its primary focus is on North American cities, the book contains several chapters on cities in other parts of the world, including the Global North and Global South. It provides both historical and contemporary accounts of the impact of globalization on urban development and urban institutions.

This sixth edition features a new, groundbreaking chapter on the relationship between the physical environment and human settlements, including the urban-rural nexus. This edition also expands and updates coverage of recent trends such as the establishment and evolution of gay neighborhoods, the suburbanization of immigrant groups, the situation of the immigrant youth known as "Dreamers," the reverse migration of Blacks from the North to the South, and the proliferation of exurban communities.

Beyond examining the dynamics that shape the form and functionality of cities, the text surveys the experience of urban life among different social groups, including a new perspective on intersectionality as it affects people's experiences in cities. It illuminates the workings of the urban economy, local and federal governments, and the criminal justice system while addressing policy debates and decisions that affect almost every aspect of urbanization and urban life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032566019
• ISBN13: 9781032566016
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.8" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Amazing Insights to Urban Life

Took this book due to requirements of a course but found myself very engrossed to finish the book beyond course requirements. Author presents very diverse issues and perspectives to issues in urban life. There is a lot of appreciation to the cityscape in political and economic terms. It just makes you feel like these are things you see everyday in a city but fail to see why before this book. It's like peering into a painting and finally understanding how the artist created it. This is looking at your neighbourhood and realising the forces that shape the way your city look and feels like. Buy it!