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Megacities : Urban form, governance, and sustainability / André Sorensen  &#38; Junichiro Okata. Springer, Dec. 2010, 418 p. ISBN:  978-4-431-99266-0http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/geography/book/978-4-431-99266-0"For the first time in human history, more than half the world’s  population is urban. A fundamental aspect of this transformation has  been the emergence of giant cities, or megacities, that present major  new challenges. This book examines how issues of megacity development,  urban form, sustainability, and unsustainability are conceived, how  governance processes are influenced by these ideas, and how these  processes have in turn influenced outcomes on the ground, in some cases  in transformative ways. Through 15 in-depth case studies by prominent  researchers from around the world, this book examines the major  challenges facing megacities today. The studies are organized around a  shared set of concerns and questions about issues of sustainability,  land development, urban governance, and urban form. Some of the main  questions addressed are: What are the most pressing issues of  sustainability and urban form in each megacity? How are major issues of  sustainability understood and framed by policymakers? Is urban form  considered a significant component of sustainability issues in public  debates and public policy? Who are the key actors framing urban  sustainability challenges and shaping urban change? How is  unsustainability, risk, or disaster imagined, and how are those concerns  reflected in policy approaches? What has been achieved so far, and what  challenges remain? The publication of this book is a step toward  answering these and other crucial questions..." (© Springer)