Buenos Aires is a city of fascinating contrasts. The most southerly of the world's great metropolises, it dominates the Argentine urban system, but is relatively isolated from the rest of Latin America and the global economic and political system. The archetypal elegance and sophistication of the Paris of the South is set against the problem of poor housing, social deprivation, and suburban sprawl. As Argentina struggles to maintain a democracy, the future stability of the region depends on how this vital, varied, and vulnerable city comes to terms with the need to restructure in the face of economic, environmental, and demographic crises. The book begins with an overview of the city's four-hundred-year history which forms the basis for an examination of the contemporary urban landscape. This leads to an analysis of local politics in relation to planning and housing policies which is followed by a consideration of changes in the city's economic structures and an examination of Buenos Aires' national, regional and global transport links. The book then turns to a detailed look at the city's green spaces, environmental problems, and health care systems.
