Rapid changes in urban life are continually reshaping the physical and social environment of the city. This book represents the thinking of a number of leading experts on a variety of topics related to the impact of contemporary urban life on children. Between the introduction which provides a framework for a contextual analysis and a conclusion which draws together the major ideas, each chapter presents a major statement on a particular area of concern, followed by commentaries and discussion. The topics range from the historical context of policies regarding urban children and an international perspective on children's services to detailed studies of health, daycare and its effects on young children, legal issues, and the problem of delinquency and social control. Another chapter deals with the broad pattern of social change and its consequences for children. Several chapters focus on physical aspects of the urban environment; the overall ecological perspective, local neighbourhoods, and housing. The book as a whole identifies the fundamentals of a broad issue of concern and examines their implications for policy, practice, and understanding.