Vortex Cities to Sustainable Cities: Australia's Urban Challenge is about Australian cities and their prospects for sustainability. In nature, a vortex is an irresistible force, a whirlpool (usually of water or air) that violently captures and then destroys virtually everything in its path. The book's title makes a clear analogy between Austraila's major cities as they operate now, and the implications this has for their future - as well as the future of the country. The book looks specifically at the environmental prospects of Australian largest cities - all the mainland capitals, including Canberra and Newcastle - and discusses their histories and the planning ideas that have shaped their development. Vortex Cities to Sustainable Cities contains chapters on population and demography, air quality, water quality, water availability, transport and biodiversity. These chapters include many new ideas that will help to make our cities more sustainable. That said, this book is not just about cities. It argues that having sustainable cities will be vital in reducing negative impacts of urban expansion on our rural and wild environments, too. Vortex Cities to Sustainable Cities will stimulate debate among many Australians about the kind of future we want for our country. It will engage planners and politicians, academics and activists, teachers and students, and many interested and informed ordinary Australians.