A major challenge we face globally is that cities are growing rapidly and most of this growth is inevitably is occurring in peri-urban areas. The concept of balanced urban development is complex and is linked to liveability of urban areas along with water, food and energy security. Increasingly, liveability is becoming important for urban planners and governments at all levels. There are many environmental, economic, political and social challenges if the goals of achieving sustainable, liveable and productive urban regions are to be achieved. The concept of sustainable development and liveable cities symbolise the big visionary ideas for urban planning and balanced development but implementation of these popular visions can encounter a host of confl icts due to a range of interests and stakeholders involved. The process of achieving balanced urban development may require learning from the past successes and mistakes to identify what makes a good practice for balanced urban development and guide local governments, planning agencies and developers to plan and design future cities that are highly liveable. At present there is insuffi cient policy focus on the challenges of the peri-urban areas of growing mega-urban regions around the world, because they are not recognised as an integral part of the functional activities that drive the growth of these urban areas. Thus, policies for peri-urban regions have to be given priority at both national and global levels, if 'globally just urban places' are to emerge.

This chapter provides a snapshot of what is covered in the preceding chapters on options and strategies for balanced development leading to liveable cities. The chapters are organized under nine sections, including peri-urbanization; culture and social economy; land use planning; water security; wastewater and irrigation; urban agriculture and food security; impact of climate change and adaptation; legal, policy and institutional framework; and integrated urban development. The chapters under these sections cover a broad range of issues for the planning of future cities and peri-urban regions with respect to (1) balanced urban development policies and institutions for future cities; (2) understanding the effects of land use change, population increase, and water demand for the liveability of cities; (3) longterm planning needs and transboundary approaches to ensure secured future for generations ahead; and (4) strategies for optimal land, water, and energy uses for viable and liveable cities. The book emphasizes integrated planning for future development of liveable, resilient, and sustainable cities and peri-urban areas.

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