Cities and Mega-cities ― Problems and Solution Strategies

This book discusses existing and future global problems of physical, chemical, biological and societal origins faced by increasingly populated cities and mega-cities, and options to mitigate or eliminate them. In nine chapters, the book focuses on rehabilitation and redevelopment projects aimed at converting shantytowns/slums into well serviced neighborhoods via secure housing, clean piped water, adequate access to sanitation, and other amenities for good living conditions. Examples of rehabilitation (restore capacity, structures, efficiency) and redevelopment (redesign, rebuild, attract investment) are addressed in detail, as are the sources of major financing to support such projects and proposals. The final chapters also discuss problems faced by countries with contracting populations, and their viable solutions. The book will be of interest to academics, city planners, land-use planners, NGOs, and designers /architects specializing in urban development and redevelopment.

Dr. Frederic R. Siegel is Professor Emeritus at The George Washington University. His books Applied Geochemistry (1974), Geoquimica Aplicada (1991), Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards in Development Planning (1996), Environmental Geochemistry of Potentially Toxic Metals (2001/2002), Demands of Expanding Populations and Development Planning (2008), Countering 21st Century Social-Environmental Threats to Growing Global Populations (2015), and Mitigation of dangers from Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards (2016) reflect Dr. Siegel’s cumulative teaching and research experience in theoretical and applied exploration and environmental geochemistry, and his work to alleviate or eliminate environmental problems related to physical, social, chemical, and economic conditions associated with planned development projects.