Looking at the world today, one sees a breath-taking globalization of prosperity side-by-side with a depressing globalization of poverty. While bringing remarkable economic, technological, and democratic advances, globalization has increased poverty, hunger, health hazards, exclusion from technology, and disparities in human welfare. Developmental efforts need to be directed at those who have been left behind, reaching them at the local level. This volume considers three avenues for meeting this challenge--decentralization of government, renewed cooperation between the public and private sectors, and local level development. In specific case studies, the book looks at experiences with these avenues in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Taken together, the chapters in this volume present a wealth of novel concepts and practical experiences. The book should inspire new ideas and improvements in the practice of local and regional development planning and policy worldwide.
