The Future of the City Centre: Global Perspectives debates future
directions. It looks beyond the post-industrial, post-commercial, and
post-retail city centres to examine differing visions of the future form
and function of the urban core. This theme and the related sub-topics
will assist the development of future city models and help to
contextualise urban change.
The in-depth research covers not only urban form and the re-use of the
built heritage but also the provision for cultural events and different
forms of entertainment that will offer vitality, together with visitors
and responsible tourism. City authorities are starting to realise that
structural changes are happening in city centres, as their influence is
declining, and therefore new forms of governance will be needed. The
book is based on an international research network hosting four symposia
over 24 months. They took place in four cities in four different
continents to encompass a world view of developed and developing
countries. This book offers theoretical and practical perspectives from
leading thinkers, academics, and practitioners, drawing on thematic
issues explored across four international cities: Newcastle, UK;
Newcastle, Australia; Pretoria-Tshwane, South Africa; and João Pessoa,
Brazil. It draws on a wider set of global examples to reveal the shared
issues and pressures being brought to bear on city centres and the
diversity of responses being undertaken to ensure their long-term
future.
The book includes illustrations from cities around the world, and it is
directed at academics, students, and professionals in architecture,
planning, urban design, the built environment, geography, economics,
sociology, and cultural studies.
