Designed as a comprehensive resource for city planners and policymakers, this volume addresses the implementation of green belts in urban environments and explains how these areas can contribute to water quality, natural habitats, the enforcement of pollution controls and the regulation of real estate development. Amati (environment and planning, Macquarie U., Australia) has edited these contributions that look at green belts around the world and throughout history, using case studies from Japan, Australia, Canada, Austria and France. The preservation of open spaces and resource lands in the United States as an alternative to green belts is also discussed. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)