The City: A Global History (Modern Library Chronicles)

The City: A Global History (Modern Library Chronicles)

If humankind can be said to have a single greatest creation, it would be those places that represent the most eloquent expression of our speciesâ‚¬s ingenuity, beliefs, and ideals: the city. In this authoritative and engagingly written account, the acclaimed urbanist and bestselling author examines the evolution of urban life over the millennia and, in doing so, attempts to answer the age-old question: What makes a city great?

Despite their infinite variety, all cities essentially serve three purposes: spiritual, political, and economic. Kotkin follows the progression of the city from the early religious centers of Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and China to the imperial centers of the Classical era, through the rise of the Islamic city and the European commercial capitals, ending with todayâ‚¬s post-industrial suburban metropolis.

Despite widespread optimistic claims that cities are â‚¬Å“back in style,â‚¬Â Kotkin warns that whatever their form, cities can thrive only if they remain sacred, safe, and busyâ‚¬â€œand this is true for both the increasingly urbanized developing world and the often self-possessed â‚¬Å“global citiesâ‚¬Â of the West and East Asia.

Looking at cities in the twenty-first century, Kotkin discusses the effects of developments such as shifting demographics and emerging technologies. He also considers the effects of terrorismâ‚¬â€œhow the religious and cultural struggles of the present pose the greatest challenge to the urban future.

Truly global in scope, The City is a timely narrative that will place Kotkin in the company of Lewis Mumford, Jane Jacobs, and other preeminent urban scholars.
Country USA
Brand Modern Library
Manufacturer Random House Publishing Group
Binding Paperback
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 2006-10-10
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780375756511

Country	USA
Brand	Modern Library
Manufacturer	Random House Publishing Group
Binding	Paperback
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	2006-10-10
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780375756511

The City: A Global History (Modern Library Chronicles)

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