Differential Childhood

The book Urban Environment Management: Local Government and Community Action is the outcome of an international conference, held in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in November 2001. The book provides an insight about the environmental problems plaguing the urban areas in a cross-country perspective. Managing the urban environment in a rapidly urbanising world is a monumental task for the multilayered governmental set up. The local governments, which are closest to the people, are the best managers of the environment at the micro-level. People's participation and innovative initiatives at the community level for environmental improvement give a special thrust to the local government's efforts. The contributors from different countries reiterate in the book the significance of the partnership between the local government and the community in urban environmental management for sustainable development. The case studies narrated in the book provide a scope to learn from each other's experiences.