Susan S. Fainstein je politická teoretička a badatelka v oboru urbanismu, která se zaměřuje na spravedlivé město. Její práce zkoumá dopady rozvojových strategií a megaprojektů na distribuci zdrojů ve městech. Zabývá se také rolí demokracie a komunitní kontroly v místních veřejných institucích. Fainstein usiluje o vytvoření morální teorie spravedlivého města, která klade důraz na rovnost a sociální spravedlnost.
Susan Fainstein's concept of the just city encourages planners and policymakers to embrace a different approach to urban development, combining progressive city planners' earlier focus on equity and material well-being with considerations of diversity.
The book explores the cycles of urban redevelopment in New York and London over the past two decades, focusing on significant projects like Times Square and King's Cross. Susan Fainstein analyzes the interplay between developers, public policy, and market dynamics, revealing how perceptions and strategies influence outcomes. By comparing the cities' experiences with globalization and institutional structures, she highlights both convergence and divergence in their redevelopment efforts. The conclusion offers realistic strategies for urban renewal that enhance community well-being amidst the impact of "theme park" developments.
The second edition of this very successful volume examines the current state of planning theory and the new directions it has taken in recent years.