For the first time in the history of humankind, urban dwellers outnumber rural residents and this trend is destined to continue. Urban places, towns and cities are of fundamental importance: even those living beyond the administrative or functional boundaries of a town or city, will have their lifestyle influenced to some degree by a nearby or distant city.

An authoritative and stimulating introduction to the study of towns and cities, this book synthesizes a wealth of material to provide a comprehensive introduction for students of urban geography. It draws on a rich blend of theoretical and empirical information, to advance their knowledge of the city. Divided into six main parts, it explains and discusses:

• the field of urban geography and the importance of a global perspective
• the historical growth of cities from the earliest times and the urban geography of the major world regions
• the dynamics of urban structure and land use change in Western cities
  economy, society and politics in the Western city
• the economic, social, political and environmental challenge faced by the Third World City
• an overview on the future of cities and cities of the future.

A practical text, this clearly structured and coherent book features superb illustrations (including a full colour plate section and over 150 informative diagrams), global case studies, a glossary of terms and key words, chapter summaries and key points, and annotated further reading lists.