INTRODUCTION: Valorizing the Resilience of Small and Medium-Sized Cities
Abstract
This chapter valorizes the resilience of small and medium-sized cities (SMCs) in the global urbanization discourse. It draws attention to the seemingly low attention to SMCs research and emphasizes a need to shift the scholastic discourse from large cities and megacities to SMCs; since this century's urban transitions are occurring in settlements characterized as SMCs. The chapter begins with an overview of urbanization trends across the various continents and in SMCs. This overview sets the context for why the resilience of SMCs matters in the urbanization and resilience discourses. It then describes the structure of the handbook and concludes by arguing that if SMCs were to become the new urban frontiers of resilient and sustainable development in this urban century, then it is essential to broaden the urbanization and resilience discourse to include how SMCs can leapfrog the socio-economic and environmental challenges that plague large and megacities.
Publication Title
Routledge Handbook of Resilient Urban Planning for Small and Medium Sized Cities
Recommended Citation
Okyere, S., Diko, S., Frimpong, L., Abunyewah, M., & Mensah, S. (2025). INTRODUCTION: Valorizing the Resilience of Small and Medium-Sized Cities. Routledge Handbook of Resilient Urban Planning for Small and Medium Sized Cities, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003588801-1
