This timely volume by a group of experienced researchers in the field of urban policy examines the impact of the global crisis on European cities' capacity to drive economic growth while maintaining social cohesion. With reference to six large European cities - Barcelona, Copenhagen, Lyon, Manchester, Milan, and Munich - the book seeks to develop a new understanding of social and spatial inequalities in the context of globalisation and austerity.

1. Introduction. European Cities Between Economic Competitiveness and Social Integration, (Roberta Cucca and Costanzo Ranci) 1.1. The Crisis of the European City Model 1.2. Disconnected Cities 1.3. The role of Urban Policies 1.4. Plan of the Book Part I: Urban Trends and Social Tensions: A Comparative View 2. Varieties of Post-Fordist Transitions and Labour Market Inequalities, (Roberta Cucca and Lara Maestripieri) 2.1. Introduction 2.2.The Socio-economic Structure of the Six Cities 2.3. Patterns of Post-fordist Transitions 2.4. Conclusive remarks 3. The Forces of Attraction: Cities Between Flows and Places, (Agostino Petrillo) 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Foreign Direct Investment and Internationalisation 3.3. The Impact of the Crisis 3.4. Hard and Soft Factors 3.5. Highly Skilled Workers: Presence and Demand 3.6. Conclusions 4. The New Social Division of the Urban Space: Gentrification in Times of Economic Crisis, (Yvonne Franz and Rossana Torri) 4.1. Introduction: Moving Beyond the Crisis in the Gentrification Debate 4.2. Setting up the Framework 4.3. Patterns of Gentrification in European Cities 4.4. Final Considerations 5. Immigrants and Ethnic Minorities: The Right Workers for the Wrong Jobs?, ( Roberta Cucca and Nathalie Kakpo) 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Immigrants and their children in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Milan 5.3. The rise of a middle-class ethnic minority in Lyon, Manchester and Munich 5.4. Conclusions ?