Social Theories of the City

The unprecedented urbanization of the nineteenth century prompted a wide range of theoretical and empirical writings on the city.

Some of these writings addressed specific urban problems, especially relating to infrastructure, housing and poverty.

Others were more generally concerned with the nature and texture of city life.

This set collects together some of the most significant writings on the city from the period 1898 to 1938.

Primarily dealing with North America and the UK, the volumes nonetheless reflect the experience of rapid urban growth, making them particularly relevant to many of the newly industrializing countries.

In all some nine volumes are reproduced in their entirety, and these are supplemented by an original introduction and collection of contemporary essays.