Lavishly illustrated introduction to the study of towns and cities, divided into 6 parts to explain and discuss: 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 landuse 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; and An overview of the future of cities and cities of the futue.