This major comparative text examines what have been traditionally regarded as 'world cities' (New York, London, Tokyo) and a range of other important cities in America, Europe and Asia. The authors show the role planning has played in cities' responses to the forces of globalization, and argue for the importance of diverse planning practices.

Introduction PART I: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Global Transformation The World City Debate Planning and Governance: Nation States, City regions and Urban Politics Globalizing Cities outside the Core Global Regions PART II: NORTH AMERICA Cities in the North America Region New York: Capital of the World The Challenge to New York's World City Dominance: Toronto, Mexico City, Chicago, or Los Angeles? PART III: EUROPE European Integration and Competitive City Regions London: From Fragmentation to World City Promotion Europe's World City Contenders: Paris, Berlin, Barcelona…Istanbul? PART IV: PACIFIC ASIA Pacific Asia: Strong State Leadership and Rapid Urban Transformation Tokyo: Shaping a World City in the Face of Economic Turbulence Regional Competition for World City Status Mega-Projects and State-Led Visions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing PART V: CONCLUSIONS Planning World Cities.

This series is primarily aimed at students and practitioners of planning and such related professions as estate management, housing and architecture as well as those in politics, public and social administration, geography and urban studies. It comprises both general texts and books designed to make a more particular contribution, in both cases characterized by: an international approach; extensive use of case studies; and emphasis on contemporary relevance and the application of theory to advance planning practice.