Charles Hoch, Professor Emeritus of urban planning and policy at the University of Illinois, talks about the challenges of regional planning in the United States. As opposed to Europe where spatial planning prevails, the notion of urban planning is more dominant here, and Hoch uses the Chicago region as a case study.

Belinda Yuen, a town planner and expert in mass housing, presents an account of Singapore’s public housing, the evolution of concepts and strategies for high-rise urban planning, and the diverse common spaces that have been designed for a higher quality of life.

Alternative Futures brings together 35 essays on India’s future, written by a diverse set of authors: activists, researchers, media persons, those who have influenced policies, and those working at the grassroots. Divided into four sections—Ecological Futures, Political Futures, Economic Futures, and Socio-Cultural Futures—the book covers a wide range of issues including environmental governance, biodiversity, democracy and power, law, agriculture, pastoralism, industry, languages, learning and education, knowledge, health and sexuality among others.