Part of the "World Cities Series", this book provides a comprehensive review of Singapore's economic, social, physical and political characteristics to give a broad understanding of its recent growth, current development strategies and dilemmas. Singapore is the dominant world city of Southeast Asia. It has achieved global prominence as the link between the international economy and one of the world's fastest growing regions. The book provides a review of the city's social, physical and political characteristics to give an insight into the country's development. Divided into two main sections, the preliminary chapters examine the historical development of the city, the sources of economic growth and the political management and planning of economic and urban development. The second section comprises of separate chapters on key components of the city environment; land patterns and communications, demographic trends, family and community structures, the living environment, culture, conservation and tourism. Finally the book examines current development dilemmas including the means of accommodating the aspirations of an increasingly affluent population and overcoming the physical constraints of a small island state. Aimed at a wide audience including social science, economic and urban planning students the text should serve as a basic reference offering an introductory understanding of the city.
