What's a Small City Mayor to do when Things Fall Apart? Normative Limits in Modern urban Theory

Abstract

Urban theories are built upon an understanding garnered from studying larger cities and major metropolitan areas. In this article, we examine use a case study that focuses on the political and managerial challenges faced by a smaller metropolitan area under conditions of rapid growth and demographic change. The case provides a foil for the normative components of urban theory and we offer a contrast between prescription and the insights provided by the case.

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