1. Introduction to the course of urban history

Cities as tourist destinations The importance of urban centres to global tourism, both business and leisure. City destinations ranking (source: Euromonitor International). Over a third of the top hundred destinations are located in Asia. The top five are Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Bangkok, and Paris. For cultural tourism, European cities remain probably world leaders.

Top ten cities Rank Region City 2013 2014 % Increase 2013/14 1 Asia Hong Kong 25,661.1 27,770.0 8.2 2 Europe London 16,784.0 17,383.9 3.6 3 Singapore 17,146.7 17,086.2 -0.4 4 Bangkok 17,467.8 16,245.0 -7.0 5 Paris 15,271.9 14,981.7 -1.9 6 Macau 13,935.3 14,966.5 7.4 7 Middle East Dubai 12,180.0 13,200.0 8.4 8 Shenzhen 12,148.9 13,120.8 8.0 9 North America New York City 11,850.4 12,230.0 3.2 10 Instanbul 10,486.3 11,871.2 13.2

The aims of the course Build a patrimony of historic knowledge useful for the enhancement of urban tourism. Experiencing the planning of tourist and cultural routes within the cities. Discussing strategies and initiatives to promote the cities images. Structure and contents of the course.

The city in European history In 2008, for the first time, the majority of the world’s inhabitants lived in cities. Europe as one of the most urbanized continents since the Middle Ages. The city as a pillar of European continuity and stability. Trade, culture, industrial specialization, service sector, political power, immigration. The distinctiveness of the European urban system in the globalized world. A way of life?

The nature of urban history An ambiguous definition. The origins: city chronicles and early towns histories in the Middle Ages. Urban history as an academic subject. Max Weber, Chicago School. The impact of the social and cultural history. «Annales», social anthropologists, British school. The urban history in Italy.

Spaces of the European urban development

Times of the European urban development VIII-early XIV: slowly urban progress. XIV-XV: widespread downturn. XVI-early XVII: urban revival. XVII-first half XVIII: stagnation and decline. Second half XVIII-first half XIX: selective growth. Second half XIX-1970s-80s: urban explosion.