Small Cities Urban Experience Beyond the Metropolis

Small Cities theorizes the economic, political, socio-spatial and cultural practices and processes relating to small provincial cities. While intense attention from a range of disciplines and by policy makers has been paid over the past twenty years to the large metropolitan centre, there is a growing awareness that cities further down the urban hierarchy have as much to tell us about contemporary urban change. Drawing together team of international contributors, a small cities research and policy agenda is discussed in a single volume for the first time. Among the topics addressed in Small Cities are: What roles do small cities occupy in the urban hierarchy? What are the economic, political, socio-spatial and cultural practices and processes that specifically relate to small cities? What kinds of local and regional development strategies have been used by small cities? How are small cities produced and consumed? How is '¬~smallness' commodified? How are issues of identity, lifestyle, social exclusion, multiculturalism and tourism mediated by and experienced in small cities? With case studies from around the world, Small Cities raises important conceptual issues surrounding urban change and the urban hierarchy. Illustrated throughout, this comprehensive and integrated book will be essential reading for all those seeking to understand urban practices and processes outside the metropolis.Bell, David is the author of 'Small Cities Urban Experience Beyond the Metropolis' with ISBN 9780415366571 and ISBN 0415366577.