Remarkably, more than half of the world's population now lives in cities, and the numbers grow daily as people abandon rural areas. This fully updated and revised seventh edition of the classic text offers readers a comprehensive set of tools for understanding the urban landscape, and, by extension, the world's politics, cultures, and economies.

Providing a sweeping overview of world urban geography, noted experts explore the eleven major global regions. Each regional chapter considers urban history, economy, culture, and environment, as well as urban spatial models and problems and prospects. Each begins with two facing pages: a regional map that shows the major cities and a table of basic statistical information about cities and urbanization in each region and a list of ten salient points about that regions urban experience. Chapters conclude with a list of references, including films and webpages, which can be used by the student and instructor for additional information about specific cities.

This edition adds the important new themes of climate change and migration, while continuing to focus specifically on sustainability, water, technology, social and environmental justice, security and conflict, the history of urban settlement, urban planning trends, and daily life. Vignettes of key cities give the reader a vivid understanding of daily life and the "spirit of place." The opening chapter presents an overview of key terms and concepts and explores contemporary world urbanization, and a concluding chapter projects the world's urban future.

Liberally illustrated in full color with a new selection of photographs, maps, and diagrams, the text also includes a rich array of textboxes to highlight key topics ranging from migration and immigration to LBGTQ activism, human security, and climate change. Clearly written and timely,Cities of the Worldwill be invaluable for those teaching introductory or advanced classes on global cities, regional geography, the developing world, and urban studies.

Stanley D. Brunn is emeritus professor of geography at the University of Kentucky. Donald J. Zeigler is emeritus professor of geography at Old Dominion University. Jessica K. Graybill is associate professor of geography at Colgate University.

List of Illustrations

Preface

1 World Urban Development

Jessica K. Graybill, Maureen Hays-Mitchell, and Donald J. Zeigler

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

The World Urban System: Prospects until 2050

World Urbanization: Past Trends

City Functions and Urban Economies

Theories of the Spatial Structure of Cities

Urban Challenges

Concepts, Terms, and Definitions

Suggested Resources

2 Cities of the United States and Canada

Nathaniel M. Lewis and Kai Kenttamaa-Squires

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Overview

Models of Urban Structure

Distinctive Cities

Urban Problems and Prospects

Urban Environmental Issues

Conclusions

Suggested Resources

3 Cities of Middle America

Rebecca Clouser, Yadira Mendez-Lemus, and John C. Finn

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Evolution of Urban Development

Attempts to Model Middle American Cities

Contemporary Urban Systems

Distinctive Cities

Urban Trends, Challenges, and Prospects

Conclusion

Suggested Resources

4 Cities of South America

Brian J. Godfrey, Maureen Hays-Mitchell, and Risa Whitson

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Urban Patterns and Trends in South America

Critical Issues

Historical Perspectives on South American Cities

Urban Spatial Models

Distinctive Cities

Urban Challenges and Prospects

Prospects for the Future

Suggested Resources

5 Cities of Europe

Linda McCarthy, Joseph Brady, and Niamh Moore-Cherry

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Perspectives on Urban Development

Globalization, Urban Policy, and Planning

Changing Urban Structure and Functions

Urban Models

Distinctive Cities

Urban Trends, Challenges, and Prospects

Suggested Resources

6 Cities of Russia and Central Asia

Jessica K. Graybill, Megan Dixon, and Elena Trubina

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Evolution of the Urban System

Contemporary Russia: Reconfiguring the Urban System

Distinctive Cities

Prospects for the Future

Suggested Resources

7 Cities of the Middle East and North Africa

Zia Salim and Donald J. Zeigler

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Evolution

Urban Structures: Models and Transects

Contemporary Urban Patterns

Urban Landscapes: Form and Function

Distinctive Cities

Urban Trends, Challenges, and Prospects

Conclusion

Suggested Resources

8 Cities of Sub-Saharan Africa

Garth A. Myers, Francis Owusu, and Angela Gray Subulwa

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

African Urbanization

Historical Geography of Urban Development

Distinctive Cities

Urban Challenges

Prospects for the Future

Suggested Resources

9 Cities of South Asia

Ashok Dutt, George Pomeroy, Vandana Wadhwa, and Ishrat Islam

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Urban Patterns at the Regional Scale

Historical Perspectives on Urban Development

Models of Urban Structure

Distinctive Cities

Globalization, City Marketing, and Urban Violence

Urban Challenges

Suggested Resources

10 Cities of Southeast Asia

James Tyner and Arnisson Andre Ortega

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Geography of Urban Development

Recent Urbanization Trends

Models of Urban Structure

Distinctive Cities

Urban Challenges

Prospects for the Future

Suggested Resources

11 Cities of East Asia

Piper Gaubatz and David W. Edgington

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

The Historical Development of East Asian Cities

Internal Structure of East Asian Cities

Distinctive Cities

Urban Problems and Their Solutions

Prospects for the Future

Suggested Resources

12 Cities of Australia and the Pacific Islands

Robyn Dowling and Pauline McGuirk

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Historical Foundations of Urbanism

Contemporary Urban Patterns and Processes

Distinctive Cities

Trends and Challenges

Suggested Resources

13 Cities of the Future

John Rennie Short

Key Urban Facts

Key Chapter Themes

Five Urban Imaginaries

The Global City

The Neoliberal City

The Green City

The Securitized City

The Utopian City

Conclusion

Suggested Resources

Appendix

Cover Photo Credits

About the Editors and Contributors