Publications

In print

Currently members of the Cities Research Centre have a number of books out in print. These capture some of the research activity that takes place within the Centre.

Thus currently in print we have:

Cover of Housing and Welfare State: The Development of Housing Policy in Britain. Urban Innovation, Competition and Democratic Reform

Contemporary British housing policy contrasts sharply with earlier periods in which Britain was distinctive in international context for its high levels of state provision. Housing was seen as a key component of the postwar social reconstruction, but changes since the 1970s mean that it has come to be seen as the 'wobbly pillar' under the welfare state. However, Peter Malpass argues that housing now looks more like the pathfinder for 'modernised' public services. Challenging many conventional notions he presents a bold reinterpretation of the relationship between housing and the welfare state, and highlights the dangers of increased inequality implicit in privatised market-based approaches.

Read more

Cover of Governing Cities in a Global Era. Urban Innovation, Competition and Democratic Reform

This new book, edited by Robin Hambleton and Jill Simone Gross (of the City University of New York), is released in the UK in February 2008 by Palgrave.

Written in a lively and accessible style by leading scholars from eleven countries this is the first global book to provide a thorough examination of the urban challenges now facing city leaders and managers in all continents. The book addresses three questions:

  • What are the implications of globalization for city planning and urban governance?
  • How are cities and metropolitan areas responding to these unprecedented economic, political and social changes?
  • What are the implications for those who must lead and manage increasingly complex multi-cultural cities and city regions?

By drawing on experience in six different continents leading authors from across the world throw new light on the interplay between global forces driving homogenization and urban innovation projecting the value of geographical place and local identity.

Read more

Cover of Disadvantaged by where you live? Neighbourhood governance in contemporary urban policy Smith, I., Lepine, E. and Taylor, M. (eds) (2007) Disadvantaged by where you live? Neighbourhood governance in contemporary urban policy Great Britain: Policy Press.978 1 86134 4

Disadvantaged by where you live? distils lessons from work on neighbourhoods carried out within the Cities Research Centre of the University of the West of England over the past seven years. It offers a major contribution to academic debates on the neighbourhood both as a sphere of governance and as a point of public service delivery under New Labour since 1997.

More details

Cover of Power, participation and political renewal.Case studies in public participation Barnes, M., Newman, J. and Sullivan, H. (2007) Power, participation and political renewal. Case studies in public participation Bristol: Policy Press.978-1861346674

More details

Cover of Changing neighbourhoods. Lessons from the JRF Neighbourhood Programme Taylor, M., Wilson, M., Purdue, D. and Wilde, P. (2007) Changing neighbourhoods. Lessons from the JRF Neighbourhood Programme Joseph Rowntree Foundation.978 1 86134 977 4

More details

Cover of Civil Societies and Social Movements Purdue, D. (2007) Civil Societies and Social Movements: London: Routledge/ECPR

More details

Cover of Building on the Past: visions of housing futures Cairncross, E. and Malpass, P. (eds) (2006) Building on the Past: visions of housing futures Policy Press.9781861347510

More details

Cover of Globalism and Local Democracy. Challenge and Change in Europe and North America

Edited by Robin Hambleton, Hank Savitch and Murray Stewart and published by Palgrave in 2002 this book sets out an analysis of the globalization process and argues that the political space for local leadership and action is greater than many commentators have assumed. Written by leading scholars from Europe and North America the book addresses three related questions:

  • What is the nature of the globalization process?
  • What resulting challenges now confront cities and localities?
  • How can local leaders respond to this changing environment in ways that strengthen local democracy?

This international volume aims to stimulate fresh thinking about city leadership, urban planning and community development.

Read more