Divided Cities: New York & London in the Contemporary World (Studies in Urban and Social Change)

This comparative analysis of New York and London provides an introduction to these pre-eminent world cities. Seeming at times to mirror each other across the Atlantic, New York and London stand at the apex of their respective national hierarchies, as economic and cultural capitals, and occupy similarly commanding positions within the world economy. Having experienced decline in the 1970s and renewal in the 1980s, both cities once again face decline in the 1990s, exhibiting ever-widening social divisions. While struck by the many socio-political similarities of New York and London in their responses to global economic restructuring, the authors also delineate the distinctive political structures and social divisions constituted by class, race and gender, of each city. At the heart of the book lies the question: in what sense, if any, was there an urban revival in the last decade - and for whom? In answering this question, "Divided Cities" traces the influence of international economic forces, and national and local policies upon the fortunes of New York and London.