* The only comprehensive book on peri-urban (rural-urban) areas of the developing world, home to hundreds of millions of people; written by the leading researchers and practitioners in the field * Complete coverage of core topics including resource sustainability, livelihoods, agriculture, urbanization, planning, and governance, and future action plans for research and problem solving* Vast case material from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the CaribbeanPeri-urban interfaces--the places where urban and rural areas meet--suffer from the greatest problems to humans caused by rapid urbanization, including intense pressures on resources, slum formation, lack of adequate services such as water and sanitation, poor planning, and agriculture land degradation. These areas, home to hundreds of millions of people, face unique problems and need unique and innovative approaches and solutions.This book, authored by top researchers and practitioners, covers the full breadth and depth of the impacts of rapid urbanization on livelihoods, poverty, and resources in the peri-urban zone, and lays out strategies for researching and overcoming these problems and promoting truly sustainable natural and human resource development.