Dimitrios Dendrinos, an expert in the application of non-linear dynamics and chaos theory to the subject of urban and regional dynamics, focuses here on fundamental issues in population growth and decline. He approaches the topic of urban growth and decline within a global system perspective, viewing the rise and fall of cities, industries and nations as the result of global interdependencies which lead to unstable dynamics and widespread dualisms. Professor Dendrinos provides valuable insights into the evolution of human settlements and considers the possible futures open to the giant cities of the world.