The Urban World

Long the leading text in urban sociology, The Urban World continues to provide a comprehensive, balanced, up-to-date, and cross-cultural look at cities and suburbs around the world. Offering a twenty-first-century view of the changing urban scene, the text covers evolving urban patterns and the changing nature of urban life. Combining expert scholarship with an accessible style that students appreciate, J. John Palen is one of America's leading urban sociologists. He travels the world and adds fresh insights, gleaned firsthand, to each edition of his text. Featuring an exceptionally clear writing style, The Urban World is also enhanced by such enduring features as robust academic content and an instructor-friendly organization. The book is accompanied by a comprehensive test bank and PowerPoint-based slides for qualified instructors.

J. John Palen is Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Part I: Focus and Development

1. The Urban World
2. The Emergence of Cities

Part II : American Urbanization

3. The Rise of Urban America
4. Ecology and Political Economy Perspectives
5. Metro and Edge City Growth
6. The Suburban Era

Part III: Metropolitan Life

7. Urban Culture and Lifestyles
8. The Social Environment of Metro Areas: Strangers, Crowding, Homelessness, and Crime
9. Diversity: Women, Ethnics, and African Americans
10. Diversity: Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans

Part IV: Metro Issues, Housing, Sprawl, and Planning

11. Cities and Change
12. Housing Policies, Sprawl, and Smart Growth
13. Planning, New Towns, and New Urbanism

Part V: Worldwide Urbanization

14. Developing Countries
15. Asian Urban Patterns
16. African and Latin American Urbanization
17. Conclusion: Toward the Urban Future