This book, first published in 1985, explores the ways in which the editors and contributors predicted the urban system, shaped by emerging technologies, would look like, both nationally and internationally. The technological changes covered include automation in the secondary sector, the effects of energy price rises and threats of shortage, and substitution effects in the energy and vehicle technology areas. Social and economic factors discussed include unemployment patterns, urban activities and lifestyles and their interactions. This title will be of interest to students of urban studies.

Figures; Tables; Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. Introduction J. Brotchie, P. Newton, P. Hall and P. Nijkamp; Part One: International and Regional Perspectives; 2. The World and Europe P. Hall 3. North America E. Malecki; Part Two: Industrial Perspectives; 4. Industrial Futures: UK M. Batty 5. Industrial Futures: USA J. Levy 6. High Tech and Urban Settlement R. Meier; Part Three: Innovation and Development; 7. Urban Dynamics P. Nijkamp and U. Schubert 8. Patterns of Biotechnology Development M. Feldman; Part Four: Communications and Transport; 9. Telecommunications and Urban Development R. Meier 10. Surface Transport P. Bly 11. Transport-Communication Interactions M. Wigan 12. Transport-Energy Interactions L. Klaassen; Part Five: Information Systems Impacts; 13. Urban Impacts of Information Technology J. Dickey 14. Teleshopping and Retail Location R. Sharpe and J. Roy 15. Information Technology and Urban Planning P. Nijkamp 16. Urban Information Systems and Society M. Wegener; Part Six: Institutional Influences; 17. Planning and Technology Change L. Gertler 18. Unemployment: The State as a Safety Net M. Kesik; Part Seven: Modelling Urban Change; 19. Lan Use - Transport Interactions R. Mackett and A. Lodwick 20. Impact of Energy Factors on Urban Form L. Lundqvist 21. Modelling Urban Dynamics W. van Lierop and P. Nijkamp 22. The Urban Modelling Implications of New Technology B. Harris; Part Eight: The Future Urban System; 23. Probable Urban Futures P. Newton and M. Taylor 24. A Desirable Urban Form L. Klaassen; Part Nine: Overview and Planning Implications; 25. Forces for Spatial Change N. Pressman 26. Optimism and Pessimism in Future Planning P. Hall; Editors and Contributors