Urban Crisis, Urban Hope recognises that our cities are in crisis. It resurrects the concept of the city and its neighbourhoods as a crucible for new ideas and a site of innovative action, recognising the desperate need for support, resources and complementary visions at urban and national scales. The collection of essays brings together leading thinkers and doers from across the spectrum of policy and practice to present both critical analysis and an agenda for action, showing how government and public services not only can be agents of hope, but must be if our cities are to thrive.

Julian Dobson is a writer and researcher with a focus on creating fair, liveable and environmentally just places.

Rowland Atkinson is an urban sociologist with interests in social inequalities and city life, based at the University of Sheffield