Beyond the Metropolis: Urban Geography as if Small Cities Mattered

by Benjamin Ofori-Amoah, Greg Halseth, John S. Adams University of Minnesota, Barbara J. VanDrasek, Christiana K. Brennan

Overview

Beyond the Metropolis is an attempt to mend the lacuna that exists between large and small city studies in urban geography, especially in North America. It covers a wide range of topics organized around some of the most common themes that urban geographers have addressed in their study of large cities. In addition to a general introduction and conclusion, the book is divided into three parts. Part I focuses on the evolution and growth of small cities. It outlines in very broad terms the status of small city studies within urban studies, in general, and urban geography, in particular, to underscore the relatively little attention that has been given to small cities. Part II deals with the internal structure of small cities. Part III examines issues related to planning and managing change in small cities. The chapters examine established conventions in urban geography and related disciplines from the perspectives of small cities for the purpose of understanding small cities. Students and researchers as well as city administrators will find the book useful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761835851
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	11/08/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	378
Product dimensions:	6.07(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.11(d)

About the Author

Benjamin Ofori-Amoah is Professor of Geography and Chair of the Geography Department at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 Acknowledgements Part 3 Introduction Chapter 4 Small City Studies and Geographic Perspectives Part 5 Evolution and Growth of Small Cities Chapter 6 From Frontier Outpost to Northern Capital: The Growth and Functional Transformation of Prince George, BC, Canada Chapter 7 Urbanization of the Midwestern Countryside: The Case of Minnesota's Small Cities Chapter 8 Demographic Changes in America's Small Cities, 1990- 2000 Chapter 9 Population Growth, Demographic Changes, and Spatial Distribution of Small Cities in Mexico, 1970- 2000 Part 10 The Internal Structure of Small Cities Chapter 11 Micropolitan Ohio: A Study of Internal Structure of Small Cities Chapter 12 Globalization, Neoliberal Policies, and the Changing Landscapes of Small Cities: The Case Study of Ciudad Lerdo, Durango, Mexico Chapter 13 The Urban Corona Effect and Retail Change in Small Cities: The Case of Central Iowa Chapter 14 Location Dynamics of Economic Activities in America's Small Cities: The Experience of Five Wisconsin Cities Part 15 Planning and Managing Change in Small Cities Chapter 16 Revitalizing Small City Downtowns: The Case of Brandon, Canada Chapter 17 Downtown Retailing and Revitalization of Small Cities: Lessons from Chillicothe and Mount Vernon, Ohio Chapter 18 Managing Downtown Revitalization of Small Cities: Lessons from Kentucky's Main Street Program Chapter 19 Public Transportation in Small Cities: The Case of Marysville and Yuba City, California Chapter 20 Housing and Urban Development Problems in Small Cities: The Case of Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico Chapter 21 Public Policy and Development of Small Cities: The Experience of Israel's Development Towns Part 22 Conclusion Chapter 23 The Future of Urban Geography as if Small Cities Mattered Part 24 Index

Editorial Reviews

Beyond the Metropolis is a welcome contribution to the body of knowledge about small cities.

Professional Geographer - Ola Johansson

Chapters range broadly in geographic and temporal range, raising practical concerns about issues like public transportation and development strategies. Methodologies include census mining, archival research, participant observation, and content analysis, with findings variably presented as tables, graphs and maps. The majority of chapters address cities in the US; case studies based in Mexico, Canada, and Israel focus a wider lens on small cities worldwide. Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. All academic levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews - A. B. Audant

Chapters range broadly in geographic and temporal range, raising practical concerns about issues like public transportation and development strategies. Methodologies include census mining, archival research, participant observation, and content analysis, with findings variably presented as tables, graphs and maps. The majority of chapters address cities in the US; case studies based in Mexico, Canada, and Israel focus a wider lens on small cities worldwide. Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. All academic levels/libraries.

CHOICE - A.B. Audant

Beyond the Metropolis is a welcome contribution to the body of knowledge about small cities.
— Ola Johansson

Professional Geographer

Chapters range broadly in geographic and temporal range, raising practical concerns about issues like public transportation and development strategies. Methodologies include census mining, archival research, participant observation, and content analysis, with findings variably presented as tables, graphs and maps. The majority of chapters address cities in the US; case studies based in Mexico, Canada, and Israel focus a wider lens on small cities worldwide. Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. All academic levels/libraries.
— A.B. Audant, CUNY Kingsborough Community College

Choice

Chapters range broadly in geographic and temporal range, raising practical concerns about issues like public transportation and development strategies. Methodologies include census mining, archival research, participant observation, and content analysis, with findings variably presented as tables, graphs and maps. The majority of chapters address cities in the US; case studies based in Mexico, Canada, and Israel focus a wider lens on small cities worldwide. Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. All academic levels/libraries.

CHOICE - A. B. Audant