This volume by urban planners and architects assesses the current state of play between urban theory, policy and architectural and planning practice in developing countries. It explains and criticises what is happening in cities in an era now dominated by neoliberal development policy, compares and contrasts the various policy and planning approaches, and explores how they are changing the role of architects, planners and other professionals. The contributors focus on the principal issues that exist in urban environmental strategy, the spatial restructuring of cities, and the attempts to foster more participation in urban programmes and management.

The originality of thought, the diversity of case material and the specific policy focus make this book an important contribution to the formulation of future urban strategies in the South.