In Spaces of Global Cultures Anthony King brings together a series of contemporary and historical case studies to show how different phases of globalization are transforming the built environment. Taking a broad, interdisciplinary approach the author draws on sociology, geography, cultural and postcolonial studies to provide a critical account of the development of three key contemporary concepts that provide the theoretical framework for the book: global culture, post colonialism, modernity. Subsequent case studies examine how global economic, political and cultural forces shape the forms of architectural and urban modernity in the ''globurbs'' (i.e. globalized suburbs) and spaces of ''villafication'' in major cities worldwide: Beijing, Washington DC, Delhi, Jakarta, and also cities in Britain. As a key sign of economic and political power and a symbol for states making claims to modernity, the high rise tower (and ''tallest building in the world'') forms the subject of the opening chapter. Other themes include the writing of transnational planning histories and the contradictory relationship between imperialism and the ideology of Arts and Crafts architecture in Britain. The author''s concluding memoir provides clues into how and why the book came to be written.

The first book to combine global and postcolonial theoretical approaches to the built environment, and to illustrate these with concrete examples, Spaces of Global Cultures argues for a more historical, differentiated and interdisciplinary understanding of globalization: one that places material space and the built environment at the center and calls for innovative concepts to address new contemporary conditions.