Publisher's Synopsis
This book examines the profound changes occurring in our society and in our cities as we move from an industrial economy at the regional level to a global economy and global markets based on information and knowledge and global communication and fast transport networks. - - These changes include: the expansion of these global networks enabling the globalization of markets for finance, services and goods; and the expansion of services, particularly information and producer services (high tech) and personal services (high touch). - - The out-sourcing of producer services from manufacturing to high amenity areas in major cities; and the out-sourcing of routine production to low cost areas, including developing Asia ? with its large populations and low wage rates ? is transforming both Eastern and Western cities. This transformation includes formation of multi-centred cities as consumer services seek suburban locations, the movement of large manufacturing plants to the suburban fringe or beyond and the formation of innovative milieux. - - There are high levels of urbanization in developing Asia as people are attracted to urban employment in manufacturing and services, resulting in the development of mega-cities and large urban-industrial agglomerations. These large cities are being transformed by Western architecture, with high rise air-conditioned, elevator serviced offices, hotels and apartments for information workers ? but with the rest of the population in high density, informal sector homes and jobs, in a non air-conditioned environment made worse by waste heat and pollution form air-conditioners, other wastes and traffic congestion. The social tensions resulting here have increased with the recent 'meltdown' of Asian currencies and consequent recession.
