The City: The Basics

• a brief history of cities from ancient times to the post-modern present
• the differences between "global cities" in the North and "megacities" 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.