“Meets all of the requirements for an outstanding textbook.” (*)

This popular text mixes the best classic theory and research on urban politics with the most recent developments in urban and metropolitan affairs. Its very balanced and realistic approach helps students to understand the nature of urban politics and the difficulty of finding effective "solutions" in a suburban and global age.

The eighth edition of Urban Politics provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the Obama urban policy and a brand new section on sustainable urban development. A new chapter on globalization and its impact on cities brings the history of urban development up to date, and a focus on the politics of local economic development underscores how questions of economic development have come to dominate the local arena.

The book traces the changing style of community participation, including the emergence of CDCs, BIDs, and other new-style service organizations. It analyzes the impacts of the New Regionalism, the New Urbanism, and much more at an approachable level.

The eighth edition is significantly shorter and more affordable than previous editions, and the entire text has been thoroughly rewritten to engage students. Boxed case studies of prominent recent and current urban development efforts provide material for class discussion, and concluding material demonstrates the tradeoff between more “ideal” and more “pragmatic” urban politics. Source material provides Internet addresses for further research.

Endorsements: “Urban Politics meets all of my requirements for an outstanding textbook. It is written clearly and at the appropriate level, covers all the key topics, and presents alternative perspectives on important issues. Its organization meshes perfectly with my course syllabus.” — Bob Kerstein, University of Tampa (*)