This revised and updated second edition provides an invaluable introduction to the characteristics, challenges and opportunities of sustainable development.The focus of the book is on the developing world where conditions such as rising poverty and mounting debt combine to present particular challenges of sustainability.An Introduction to Sustainable Development includes: * an analysis of the origins of sustainable development* a discussion of the impact of past development processes on people and the environment* details of the steps taken at a variety of levels to ensure sustainable development is identified* a discussion of the particular challenges and opportunities of sustainable development in urban and rural contexts in the developing world* summary of the ongoing challenges of sustainable development for the global communityParticular emphasis is placed on explaining on how people and places at various levels are interconnected Whats different about the new edition? * In the five years since the first edition there have been important shifts in development thinking, e.g. Outcomes of Rio Conference are critically considered * the book contains many more insights into best sustainable practice on the ground, boxed examples throughout the text provide illustrations of such practice* the breadth and depth of the material has increased, with the expanded new edition printed in a larger format* new format has enabled the use of new more accessible text design and extensive use of student features e.g. boxed examples, discussion questions and further reading and glossary.