An incisive exploration of urban planning and policy, and the problems facing urban Australia in the 1990s.

The problems faced by urban Australia have become more prevalent in recent years. They spring from the public cost of urban growth, the negative environmental impact of cities, the importance of global competitiveness, tensions between the three tiers of government and declining standards of living in our cities. This book, written by a team of leading authors, offers a fresh exploration of key issues in the debates about our cities. Incisive and up-to-date, it will be an important contribution to discussion about urban planning and policy. Edited by Patrick Troy, Professor of Urban Research at the Australian National University, Australian Cities describes the options and limitations of Australian urban planning practice. It will be read by students and academics in urban studies, political science, sociology, town planning and public policy as well as policy-makers and professionals.

Introduction Patrick Troy
Part I. The Development and State of Australian Cities: 1. Sustaining suburbia: an historical perspective on Australia's urban growth Lionel Frost and Tony Dingle
2. The urban debate: from 'Los Angeles' to the urban village Mark Peel
3. National urban policy in the 1990s Lionel Orchard
4. Households, consumerism and metropolitan development Patrick Mullins
Part II. Current Policies and Options: 5. The battle for Balmain Tim Bonyhady
6. State planning operation Raymond Bunker
7. Planning in a multicultural environment: a challenge for the nineties Sophie Watson and Alec McGillivray
8. Local government and the urban growth debate Renate Howe
9. Towards more equitable cities: a receding prospect? Blair Badcock
Part III. Avenues for Development: 10. Financing urban services Max Neutze
11. Alternative urban policies: the case for regional development Peter Self
12. Cooperation between governments Patrick Troy.