Religion and Urbanism : Reconceptualising sustainable cities for South Asia

Religion and Urbanism contributes to an expanded understanding of the notion of ''sustainable cities'' in the context of South Asia by demonstrating that religion exerts a significant influence on the nature of urban development in the region. The book argues that the multiple, often conflicting and complicated ways in which religion or the multiplicity of religions enable or challenge socially equitable and ecologically sustainable urbanisation must thus be considered in analyses of ''sustainable urban development'' of the region.

Conceptions of ''sustainable cities'' in the pluralistic and multireligious urban settlements of developing nations need to develop out of local cultural, religious and historical contexts to be inclusive and accurately respond to the needs of the poor, ethnic and religious minorities, and women.

Religion and Urbanism contributes to an expanded understanding of ''sustainable cities'' in South Asia by demonstrating the multiple, and often conflicting ways in which religion enables or challenges socially equitable and ecologically sustainable urbanisation in the region. In particular, this collection focuses on two aspects that must inform the sustainable cities discourse in South Asia: the intersections of religion and urban heritage, and religion and various aspects of informality.

This book makes a much-needed contribution to the nexus between religion and urban planning for researchers, postgraduate students and policy makers in Sustainable Development, Development Studies, Urban Studies, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Heritage Studies and Urban and Religious Geography.