Influential books to understand globalization and its effects on cities

This foundational text by Henri Lefebvre champions the right of inhabitants to participate in the production and management of their urban space. In the context of globalization and the financialization of cities, the concept remains a banner for a more just and equitable city.

This book explores how urban design can improve the quality of life in cities, focusing on happiness, walkability, and social interaction. It offers a human-wellbeing-centered perspective, relevant for counteracting the negative effects of globalization on urban quality of life.

This seminal work by Saskia Sassen coined the term 'global city', essential for understanding how certain metropolises act as strategic nodes in the world economy. It analyzes the concentration of economic power and the social dualities generated by globalization in these urban centers.

This book by Andreu Marfull Pujadas offers an updated and critical perspective on how globalization differentially impacts cities in the Global South. It addresses the realities of informality, fragmentation, and hybridization that characterize many urban centers in these regions.

This recent publication explores how geospatial science can be applied to urban ecosystems, addressing environmental and infrastructure challenges arising from the rapid expansion of globalized cities. It offers cutting-edge technological tools and perspectives for urban management.

This book focuses on how cities can evolve to be more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, applying innovative principles of urban development. It directly addresses the challenges of urban sustainability and resilience in a globalized context.

This book explores bio-architecture and the design of buildings that interact with and improve the environment, proposing structures that purify the air or generate energy. It offers a deep reflection on how future cities can integrate with nature, a crucial aspect in light of the effects of globalization and climate change.

This very current publication analyzes the language of international relations, renewed by decolonization, depolarization, and globalization. It provides a conceptual framework for understanding the vocabulary and ideas that define the globalized world and their implications for cities.

This classic by Peter Hall traces the historical evolution of cities and urbanism, with an added chapter analyzing globalization and digitalization. It offers a historical perspective on how cities have responded to global changes and anticipates current challenges.

This book by Manfred B. Steger offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of the multiple dimensions of globalization (economic, political, cultural) and its challenges. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the phenomenon of globalization itself, essential before analyzing its specific effects on cities.

This book presents tactical urbanism as an adaptable tool for activists and planners, using short-term community projects to generate long-term urban change. It offers practical and flexible strategies for influencing the development of cities in a globalized world.

This classic by Zygmunt Bauman analyzes the profound social and cultural transformations brought about by globalization, including mobility, identity, and social fragmentation. It remains fundamental for understanding the human and social implications of globalization in urban environments.