Book Review- Off the Plan: The Urbanisation of the Gold Coast, by Caryl Bosman, Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes, and Andrew Leach, Clayton South, CSIRO Publishing, 2016, 200 pp., ISBN 9781486301836

Abstract

This volume, edited by Caryl Bosman, Ayşin Dedekorkut-Howes and Andrew Leach is an homage to the city of Gold Coast. For those looking for a study of cities in the tradition of Sassen (2001) they won’t find it here, although themes of the global city and economic change do feature. Rather this text takes a sustained and critical gaze at the Gold Coast through the lens of urban history, examining the city from multiple perspectives focused on the historical development of the city’s urban form and urban systems (Davis’ [1990] critical but sympathetic look at Los Angels comes to mind here). The editors ask us to look beyond our assumptions and, through their retelling of the city’s story, reconsider how we imagine the Coast. This book will be of interest to anyone with an interest in cities but especially those who work or study across planning and tourism. Given the clear and unambiguous written style, I imagine this book will be of interest beyond the academy to those who grew up on the Coast, as I did, or indeed the millions of Australians who have holidayed on the Coast at some time in their lives.