Routledge Handbook of Urbanization in Southeast Asia

by Rita Padawangi (Editor)

The study of urbanization in Southeast Asia has been a growing field of research over the past decades. The Routledge Handbook of Urbanization in Southeast Asia offers a collection of the major streams and themes in the studies of the cities in the region. A focus on the urbanization process rather than the city as an object opens the topic more broadly to bring together different perspectives. This timely handbook presents these diverse views to build a clearer understanding of theoretical contributions of urban studies in Southeast Asia and to provide a complete collection of scholarly works that are thematically structured and a useful tool for teaching urbanization in Southeast Asia. Following the introduction by the editor, the handbook is structured along central, emerging themes. It contains six parts, which are each introduced by the This handbook will be an essential reference work for scholars interested in Urban Studies, cities and urbanization in Asia, and Southeast Asian Studies.

530 pages, Hardcover

Published October 30, 2018

Reviews

[Richie Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just finished reading this book. Not all parts but selected chapters to my interest. I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse views and studies across Asia/ASEAN. In particular, I'm interested in the later chapters esp. chapter on 'social change and alternative development' focusing on alternative voices to urbanisation. I learned a great deal about participatory community mapping in various cities--what it is about, pros and cons, impact, etc. However, I argue that there are limitations to using such methods/methodologies. While the researcher is able to do mapping to learn more about the city, and to allow the various local peoples/communities to partake in urban futures, it remains that these people may not have literacies and the tools to really actively participate in making their city/urban futures. This is where I think the researcher could also be a facilitator in addition to data collector in conducting workshops to equip them with tools and methods like collective city visioning (Tim Dixon), futures mapping (e.g., futures triangle by Sohail Inayatullah) so that these participants are given opportunities to 'make' their urban/city futures. But otherwise, a really good read to understand deeply urbanisation/urbanism in SEA, the patterns across nations, unique challenges each country faces, different narratives (official, alternative, cultural approaches, etc.).