The Wealth and Poverty of Regions: Why Cities Matter

About this book

As the world becomes more interconnected through travel and electronic communication many believe that physical places will become less important. But as Mario Polse argues in The Wealth and Poverty of Regions geography will matter more than ever before in a world where distance is allegedly dead. This provocative book surveys the globe from London and Cape Town to New York and Beijing contending that regions riseor falldue to their location not only within nations but also on the world map. Polse reveals how concentrations of industries and populations in specific locales often result in minor advantages that accumulate over time resulting in reduced prices improved transportation networks increased diversity and not least of all buzzthe excitement and vitality that attracts ambitious people. The Wealth and Poverty of Regions maps out how a heady mix of size infrastructure proximity and cost will determine which urban centers become the thriving metropolises of the future and which become the deserted cities of the past. Engagingly written the book provides insight to the past present and future of regions.