Encouraging, even requiring, higher density urban development is a major policy in the European Community and of Agenda 21, and a central principle of growth management programmes used by cities around the world. This work takes a critical look at a number of claims made by proponents of this initiative, seeking to answer whether indeed this strategy controls the spread of urban suburbs into open lands, is acceptable to residents, reduces trip lengths and encourages use of public transit, improves efficiency in providing urban infrastructure and services, and results in environmental improvements supporting higher quality of life in cities. Most of the 24 contributions, from ten countries, focus on case experiences which test these widely-held notions of the benefits of compact cities and draw inferences from these cases. The book seeks to encourage and contribute to the policy debate over the effectiveness of investments in a compact city strategy, providing an international perspective based on observed results.