Introduction to Cities: How Place and Space Shape Human Experience

by Xiangming Chen, Anthony M. Orum, Krista E. Paulsen

The revised and updated second edition of Introduction to Cities   explores why cities are such a vital part of the human experience and how they shape our everyday lives. Written in engaging and accessible terms, Introduction to Cities   examines the study of cities through two central concepts: that cities are  places , where people live, form communities, and establish their own identities, and that they are  spaces , such as the inner city and the suburb, that offer a way to configure and shape the material world and natural environment. Introduction to Cities  covers the theory of cities from an historical perspective right through to the most recent theoretical developments. The authors offer a balanced account of life in cities and explore both positive and negative themes. In addition, the text takes a global approach, with examples ranging from Berlin and Chicago to Shanghai and Mumbai. The book is extensively illustrated with updated maps, charts, tables, and photographs. This new edition also includes a new section on urban planning as well as new chapters on cities as contested spaces, exploring power and politics in an urban context. It contains; information on the status of poor and marginalized groups and the impact of neoliberal policies; material on gender and sexuality; and presents a greater range of geographies with more attention to European, Latin American, and African cities. Revised and updated, Introduction to Cities provides a complete introduction to the history, evolution, and future of our modern cities.

Genres: Urban Studies

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2012

Reviews

[highwaygothicluvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

yes I'm logging this lol

[Nick Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, undogmatic, well produced, and easy-to-read introductory text book to urban studies. The book includes readable but erudite introductory overviews of historical and contemporary urban theory, and also contains several important chapters on interesting topics that are often left out of similar books (e.g. suburbs), with well placed and current comparative case studies.