City: The Basics

The City: The Basics provides a brief yet compelling overview of the study of cities and city life. The book draws on a range of perspectives - economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects are all considered - to provide a broad comparison of the evolution of cities in the rich Global North and the poorer Global South. Topics covered in the book include: a brief history of cities from ancient times to the post-modern present the differences between "e;global cities"e; in the North and "e;megacities"e; in the South the environmental impact of urban life and the idea of sustainable cities urban planning, urban politics and urban poverty. Featuring suggestions for further reading, recommended websites and a number of maps and illustrations, this is the ideal starting point for those interested in any aspect of cities or urban studies.