Spaces of Sustainability is an engaging and accessible introduction to the key philosophical ideas which lie behind the principles of sustainable development. This topical resource discusses key contemporary issues including global warming, third world poverty, transnational citizenship and globalization.

Combining the latest research and theoretical frameworks Spaces of Sustainability offers a unique insight into contemporary attempts to create a more sustainable society and introduces the debates surrounding sustainable development through a series of interesting transcontinental case studies. These include: discussions of land-use conflicts in the USA; agricultural reform in the Indian Punjab; environmental planning in the Barents Sea; community forest development in Kenya; transport policies in Mexico City; and political reform in Russia.

Written in an approachable and concise manner, this is essential reading for students of geography, planning, environmental politics and urban studies. It is illustrated throughout with figures and plates, along with a range of explanatory help boxes and useful web links.

About the Author

Mark Whitehead is a lecturer in human geography at the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Reviews

'This book is about ideas and approaches to sustainability [...] it is an excellent introduction to the topic for geographers' - Ian Gordon, University of Manchester Geography (Journal) 2007.

'Whitehead has envisioned Spaces of Sustainability as an introduction to the key debates and philosophical principles surrounding sustainable development and, in this regard, he succeeds admirably. In a concise fashion, he provides the reader with a well-informed and eminently readable overview of the key debates, theories and philosophical concepts, and policy initiatives in the realm of sustainable development. Furthermore, throughout the book he synthesizes a diverse collection of literature from both academia and the mass media and provides an eclectic and interesting array of real-world case studies drawn from a host of more and less developed countries [...] As a consequence, Spaces of Sustainability will serve as a valuable introduction for upper-level undergraduate students in geography, planning, public policy, and other social science disciplines in a wide variety of geographic settings' James, J. Biles, Indiana University, Growth and Development (November 2007)

'What is sustainability from a geographical point of view? Whitehead, in Spaces of Sustainability aims to answer this question through a review of the roots of the concept of sustainability...' - Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini, University of Glasgow (2008)

'The book is at its best when we encounter the realities of these sustainable societies - in the Body Shop, films, Mexico City and the everyday encounters of the author - and are given the analytical perspectives through which to understand the processes at hand. The detailed use of case-studies, the accessible text and the use of figures and text boxes all help with this endeavour. It deserves to have pride of place on reading lists across the social sciences and to be taken seriously by the research community.' - Harriet Bulkeley, University of Durham, UK 2008

Book Information
ISBN 9780415358040
Author Mark Whitehead
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 470g