Introduction to Metropolitan Studies From Urban Specks to Global Cities “DON’T BE TOO HASTY IN TRYING TO DEFINE THE CITY ;IT IS MUCH TOO BIG,  AND THERE IS EVERY LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU WILL GET IT WRONG"            GEORGES PEREC (1974, P.119)  Amina Sillah, PhD.

Earliest Cities Five Regions credited with the earliest development of cities: Mesopotamia Egypt Indus Valley (Harrappan Civilization) Northern China and Mesoamerica

Characteristics of Early Cities “Early” cities emerge at different times in different places Populations ranging from a few people to more than 60,000 Often have city wall indicating need for defense Have a Citadel indicating an aristocratic/priestly ruling class and more generally a social hierarchy Most have record-keeping technologies (like counting devices or primitive forms of written notation)

Characteristics of Early Cities Internal Structure- the lay out within the city – land use, streets, transportation, etc. Two ways to examine internal lay out: 1. Organic growth –cities that evolved in an unplanned process Eg. Mesopotamia 2. Planned – cities that were laid out in a predetermined way based on some planned approach, Eg – gridiron street pattern, Planned lay out of streets could signify the presence of central control Internal structure – never static – evolves – some cities – changed from organic to planned and vice versa eg. London - planned to organic

Earliest Cities Mesopotamia – Land between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – area of modern day Iraq Earliest evidence for urbanization – approx. 3500BC City States Egypt - Along Nile valley Around 3100 BC Agriculture - Irrigation Short lifespan for cities Cities usually abandoned after the death of a Pharaoh – leader

Earliest Cities Northern China – Along the fertile plains of River Huang He – 1800BC Supported by irrigated agriculture Mesoamerica – 500BC Based on agriculture Mayan civilization Modern day Mexico Indus Valley 2500BC Modern day Pakistan Agriculture and trade

Early Civilization Exceptions: Civilizations in the Americas did not rise in river valleys Aztecs and Incas emerged in the highlands of Mexico & Peru, starting as religious centers.

River Valley Civilizations Mesopotamia: Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Egypt: Nile River Indus: Indus River Shang (China): Huang He River

Internal Structure Of Early Cities In Mesopotamia Featured an organic growth process Prominent features: Walled City, approximately 35,000 people Extensive trade arrangements Religious and administrative core area – reveals activities such as recognition of several gods, taxing, counting etc. Outer city or suburbs – remainder of the city state – houses, farms etc.

Çatal Hüyük In what is today Turkey Population of between 5,000 and 6,000 people Inhabited around 6800- 5400 B.C. Houses packed together Each house was entered through a hole in the roof (Why?)

“Mohenjo-Daro” (mound of the dead) Harappan culture (Indus valley, in what is now Pakistan) Axial layout and grid system similar to many western cities Elaborate bath areas Centrally planned (similar to other Harappan cities) Well built sanitation system with drainage that ran room homes to covered sewers. Sit down toilets were discovered - A luxury not commonly found in European cities until the 19th Century https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VAv8AuG2Fs

Preindustrial Cities Pre-industrial is a time before there were machines and tools to help perform tasks. Refers to social attributes and forms of political and cultural organization that were prevalent before the advent of the Industrial Revolution, which occurred from 1750 to 1850. Preindustrial cities are found societies without sophisticated machine technology, human and animal labor form the basis for economic productivity.

Industrialization and City Structure The Industrial Revolution effected every part of life in Great Britain and is considered to be a mixed blessing. GOOD- Industrialization led to a better quality of life BAD- Industrialization caused human suffering

Industrialization and City Structure Good People earned higher wages in factories than in farms With this money, more people could afford to heat their homes People had better diets Wore better clothing Bad Unhealthy working conditions Air and water pollution The problem of child labor Rise in class tensions Unsanitary living conditions

Population Multiplies Population of England in 1750 6 Million Population of England in 1851 21 Million Population of London in 1750 500,000 Population of London in 1851 3 Million Families in Agriculture in 1750 65% of Population Families in Agriculture in 1851 25% of Population

Living Conditions Because England’s cities grew rapidly, they were not prepared for the problems created by urbanization. They had no development plans, sanitary codes, or building codes.

Living Conditions Living conditions were very poor for the working class. Most unpaved streets had no drains, and garbage collected on them. Workers lived in dark shelters, with whole families crowded in one bedroom Multiple families shared one bathroom Crowded living quarters caused diseases to spread, such as cholera Lack of police protection Lack of education

Manchester: Shock City Grew from a town of 15,000 in 1750 to a metropolis of 500,000 in 1861 to a world city of 2.3 million in 1911 Shock City – Embodiment of surprising and disturbing changes in economic, social, and cultural life. Archetypal form of a new Industrial City – sole purpose was to assemble raw materials and to fabricate, assemble, and distribute manufactured goods. Also a World City – at the top of a global urban system. Takes and conducts a disproportionate share of the world’s most important activities- economic, political and cultural-within its space.

EUROPEAN URBAN EXPANSION THE GREEKS – Idea of cities introduced from the Fertile Crescent Evolved as City states - ex. Sparta, Athens Served 4 functions: religious, commerce, administrative, and defense Street systems – gridiron pattern Mainly along coastlines – reflecting the importance of long distance sea trade Democratic government – elections, etc.

ROMAN CITIES Greeks loose independence – 338BC Greek civilization displaced by the expanding Roman empire By AD 200 – Romans had established towns in Southern Europe Laid foundation for Western European urban system Cities connected to one another and to Rome by a system of roads Health improvements Cities also fortresses – built around military grounds Romans were great engineers. Designed excellent road systems throughout the Empire for military control and communication. Romans usually established extensive sewer systems in their cities. These systems even set the standard for cities of today.

THE DARK AGES and the URBAN REVIVAL Rome falls in the 5th C – Dark ages a period of stagnation – saw a decline in city life Meanwhile, cities thrived elsewhere – Arab world – Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, etc. Medieval period - 11th C – a revival of cities around trade