This collection of essays represents a major contribution in the understanding of the contemporary urbanization process in the diverse region of Southeast Asia. It is significant because its shifts the focus from the economic role of urban centers to a concern with the "urban condition" recognizing the human challenges of the of urban life which is now a reality for the majority of Southeast Asians. Its interdisciplinary approach encompasses themes such as patterns and the production of urban space, processes of the urban transition (including migration), development discontents, environmental governance and alternative urban development strategies. This collection frames a new debate about urbanization that is rewriting of the narrative of Southeast Asian urbanization.Terry McGee, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Canada