Tokyo

Tokyo: The Changing Profile of an Urban Giant takes an original approach to the urban geography of the world's largest city. It describes not only the challenges that Tokyo poses for city planners, and describes key projects for urban betterment but also seeks to convey the essential texture of the city, what it is like to live there and experience the day to day life of Tokyo, citizen and visitor, both Japanese and foreign. In addition to analysing the structure and function of the urban giant, the book takes the reader on a vivid tour of the city's fascinating districts and landmarks: the Imperial Palace compound in the heart of the city, the prosperous commercial centres of Shinjuku and Shibuya, the nightlife district of Roppongi, traditional neighbourhoods in "old Tokyo" along the Sumida River, a forgotten slum neighbourhood called Sanya, and comfortable bedroom communities on the fast-growing west side. Both for those familiar and unfamiliar with Tokyo, this book is the best available serious introduction to the city. It will be essential reading for planners, geographers and urban sociologists and by its exuberant style and original approach, will be a landmark volume in the literature of urban geography.