By analysing the challenges facing large metropolitan areas in providing and managing public space, Claudio de Magalhćes and Louie Sieh have made a valuable contribution to the field of urbanism. Ali Madanipour, Newcastle University Claudio De Magalhćes and Louie Sieh have written a milestone book on public space. It has everything: history, philosophy, realism, practicality, social theory, economics, impeccable logic and case study context. It is the book you need to read to reduce a complex and often muddled and polarised academic discussion into a crystal-clear set of propositions suitable for guiding design, planning and policy. It delivers the holy grail in urban studies and design: explanatory theory that can be used predictively. Chris Webster, University of Hong Kong