Growth of Cities

Children's Literature

Following a short introduction to the history of cities' growth and development—from the city-states of ancient Greece through industrialization and the modern period—this title volume turns its attention to the problems and challenges facing the world's cities today. Individual sections cover topics such as environmental effects, urban sprawl, urban decay, and waste disposal. Final sections look to the future, with brief discussions of sustainability and urban planning. Overall, the text has a global perspective, with photos and examples taken from cities on several continents. Highlighted "case studies," however, focus primarily on North American and European cities—one discusses San Francisco's location near a seismic faultline, for example, and another covers New York City's waste disposal problems. Color photographs are well-integrated into the text, and effectively illustrate the topics at hand. A brief glossary is included, as is a list of websites, many of which provide interactive lessons. However, a comprehensive traditional bibliography is lacking. This is part of the "Earth's Changing Landscape" series. 2005, Smart Apple Media, Ages 8 to 12.
—Norah Piehl