This textbook challenges the assumption that cities are threatened by disorder from below and that they might be ruled by 'order' imposed from above.

Steve Pile is Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Open University. His publications include The Body and the City (1996) and Geographies of Resistance (1997), co-edited with Michael Keith) and Places through the Body (1998, co-edited with Heidi J. Nast). Chris Brook is Lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The Open University. His recent books include A Global World? 91995, co-edited with James Anderson and Allan Cochrane) and Asia Pacific in the New World Order (1997, co-edited with Anthony McGrew).
Gerry Mooney is Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Studies at the University of Paisley. He has published widely on issues relating to developments in Social Policy and in the field of urban studies.

1. The heterogenity of Cities Steve Pile , Urban 'Disorders' Gerry Mooney , 3. Walled Cities Eugene McLoughlin and John Muncie 4. Divisive Cities Jenny Robinson 5. City Politics Sophie Watson , 6. The Unsustainable City Andy Blowers and Kathy Pain 7. Administered cities Allan Cochrane 8. On Orderings and the City Gerry Mooney, Steve Pile and Christopher Brook