In this original application of information theory to social analysis, Orrin Klapp examines how and why societies are producing more stress than they ever can handle. He argues that the reduction of 'social noise', the chaos from which we try to construct meaning is a major goal of individuals and groups alike. Individuals, groups, even entire societies normally cycle rhythmically between two basic modes of adaptation to the constant communication flow: opening, or scanning for desired information; and closing, or defending against noise. For example, in a society functioning in the opening mode, movements like ecumenicism and expansionism achieve momentum. Extreme reactions in either mode lead to an opposite swing, according to Professor Klapp's model. His wide-ranging conceptual scheme incorporates hypotheses about the variety and redundancy of information, as well as about human channel capacities and the need for homeostatis. His research reveals intriguing relationships among such phenomena as the concern about industrial population and the search for ethnic roots.

Human Settlements: An Annotated Bibliography is an annotated bibliography on human settlements and includes books, journal articles, reports, and documents. Documents from Habitat: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements with National Reports are arranged alphabetically by country, along with other Conference documents. This book is comprised of four chapters and begins with a list of books, journal articles, reports, and documents dealing with topics such as housing policies, housing problems in underdeveloped areas, and the effects of land reform and rural ordinance programs. The next chapter is devoted to a bibliography of bibliographies, covering topics ranging from land-use planning to rural roads and their potential. The third chapter includes national reports from countries such as Afghanistan, Algeria, and Bangladesh. The bibliography concludes with a subject index of key words subdivided geographically; a secondary author index that includes personal and corporate authors, editors, compilers, and authors of significant introductions; and a list of libraries consulted. This monograph should be of interest to housing officials and policymakers.

In a rapidly urbanizing and globalized world, cities have been the epicentres of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The virus has spread to virtually all parts of the world; first, among globally connected cities, then through community transmission and from the city to the countryside. This report shows that the intrinsic value of sustainable urbanization can and should be harnessed for the wellbeing of all. It provides evidence and policy analysis of the value of urbanization from an economic, social and environmental perspective. It also explores the role of innovation and technology, local governments, targeted investments and the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda in fostering the value of sustainable urbanization.

This book, first published in 1985, explores the ways in which the editors and contributors predicted the urban system, shaped by emerging technologies, would look like, both nationally and internationally. The technological changes covered include automation in the secondary sector, the effects of energy price rises and threats of shortage, and substitution effects in the energy and vehicle technology areas. Social and economic factors discussed include unemployment patterns, urban activities and lifestyles and their interactions. This title will be of interest to students of urban studies.

Urban Climate Change and Heat Islands: Characterization, Impacts, and Mitigation serves as a go to reference for a foundational understanding of urban-climate drivers and impacts. Through the book's comprehensive chapters, the authors help readers identify problems associated with urban climate change, along with potential solutions. Global case studies are included and presented in a way in which they become globally relevant to any urban or intra-urban environment. The authors call on their extensive experience to present and explore methodologies and approaches to quantifying urban-heat mitigation measures in a clear manner, focusing on heat islands, urban overheating and effects on air quality. - Includes global case studies that demonstrate how to design and implement urban-heat mitigation measures that are area-specific and effective, under both current climate and future conditions - Provides an overview of urban parameterizations in models leading to an improved understating of intra-urban climate variability drivers - Assesses potential heat and air-quality health impacts of excessive heat events and changes in local urban climates