Resilience and Urban Governance: Securing Cities

This book explores the concept of urban resilience by examining its impact and limitations in three cities. It traces the evolution of urban resilience from international development organizations to local governments and communities and analyzes its momentum in Barcelona, San Francisco, and Santiago. It argues that resilience has become a universal policy tool and a desired end-state, but its problematic definition and the questioning of contemporary governance and safety and security make it an important read for students of resilience studies, urban studies, development studies, human geography, and international relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 23 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the concept of urban resilience, examining its impact and limitations across three diverse cities. By exploring resilience as a regulatory and constitutive principle of governance in urban contexts, the book offers a fresh perspective on this increasingly important topic.

Cities, as dynamic and complex entities, serve as ideal playgrounds for resilience, facing a wide range of disruptions from natural disasters to political conflicts and terrorism. This book traces the evolution of urban resilience, from its origins in international development organizations to its adoption by local governments and communities. It explores how different actors have mobilized this concept for various purposes, resulting in varying resilience momentum in cities like Barcelona, San Francisco, and Santiago.

The book critically assesses the extent to which resilience has become a universal policy tool and a desired end-state, despite its problematic definition. It sheds light on the challenges and complexities associated with implementing resilience strategies, particularly in the context of rapidly changing urban environments. Moreover, the book contributes to the ongoing discussion about contemporary governance, safety, and security in a world where the nature and feasibility of these concepts are being questioned.

With its interdisciplinary approach, this book appeals to students and scholars interested in resilience studies, urban studies, development studies, human geography, and international relations. It provides valuable insights into the dynamics of urban resilience, the roles of different actors, and the potential for building more resilient and sustainable cities in the face of emerging challenges.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 160 x 243 x 235 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367652845