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The book studies the impact of the mega-transformation ushered in by globalisation on the small cities and towns. Based on a seminar, the papers here focus on the nature of the emerging changes as a result of the global agenda especially where urban settlements are concerned, throwing light on socio-cultural and economic conditions of citizens of specific cities and towns. With case studies of urban settlements, they argue that one sees the emergence of a few cities across countries as the hubs of flow of capital and new technologies under the influence of technologies and labour markets. On the other hand, the traditional centres of regional production and distribution of goods and services are getting re-organised or even disintegrated. Referring to cities and towns spread across India, they view specific issues like industrial dispersal and clustering, financial and access to basic amenities, ethnic and communal conflicts, urban governance and planning concerns.