This is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive account of French urban policy. Badlands of the Republic offers a fresh approach to space and politics, while providing insights into the politics of immigration and the contemporary transformations of the state in France. The author not only proposes a new way of looking at urban policy, but also challenges overarching generalizations that are based almost exclusively on the British and North American experience. This resource provides analysis on the revolts in the "banlieues" of French cities in 2005 and covers a variety of other topics related to contemporary citizenship and immigration. Its rich empirical material derives from sources that go beyond mere investigation of official documents. It is the only thorough account of French urban policy written in English.

Mustafa Dikeç is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London. Dr Dikeç was trained as an urban planner in Ankara, Turkey. He holds a master's degree in urban design from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has published articles on space, politics and justice, and on hospitality.