The Routledge Handbook of Community Development explores community development theory and practice across the world. The book provides perspectives about community development as an interactive, relevant and sometimes contradictory way to address issues impacting the human condition. It promotes better understanding of the complexities and challenges in identifying, designing, implementing and evaluating community development constructs, applications and interventions. This edited volume discusses how community development is conceptualized as an approach, method or profession. Themes provide the scope of the book, with projects, issues or perspectives presented in each of these areas.

This handbook provides invaluable contextualized insights on the theory and practice of community development around core themes relevant in society. Each chapter explores and presents an issue, perspectives, project or case in the thematic areas, with regional and country context included. It is a must-read for students and researchers working in community development, planning and human geography and an essential reference for any professional engaged in community development.

Sue Kenny, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor, International and Community Development, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia, was formerly Director, Centre for Citizenship, Development and Human Rights and Chair, Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research organisation. Sue has forty years’ experience of community development practice and research in Australia and internationally.

Brian McGrath, Ph.D., Lecturer, School of Political Science and Sociology, NUI Galway, Ireland and Research Fellow with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, NUI Galway Ireland. His work has revolved around generating stronger understanding and research evidence in areas of: sociology of community and place, youth identities, social support and community development.

Rhonda Phillips, Ph.D., FAICP, is inaugural Dean, Purdue University Honors College. Her work focuses on community economic development planning, and community well-being and quality of life studies. She is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and former editor of Community Development. She is editor of the book series Community Development Research and Practice, and co-editor of Introduction to Community Development.