Origins and Growth of Cities

Introduction Chapter traces origin of cities 5,500 years ago through the Industrial revolution Chapter traces origin of cities 5,500 years ago through the Industrial revolution 5 regions credited with the origin of cities: 5 regions credited with the origin of cities: –Mesopotamia –Egypt –The Indus Valley –Northern China and –Mesoamerica

Introduction From here – spread to other areas From here – spread to other areas Early cities developed independently in regions where the transition to agricultural food production had taken place Early cities developed independently in regions where the transition to agricultural food production had taken place

Defining a City A city is an urban area with a large population and a particular administrative, legal, or historical status. A city is an urban area with a large population and a particular administrative, legal, or historical status.

Haarlem Netherlands 1550 Haarlem Netherlands 1550

Haarlem Netherlands 1550

Chicago CHICAGO AERIAL VIEW CHICAGO AERIAL VIEW

Chicago

Skyscrapers SKYSCRAPERS IN CHICAGO SKYSCRAPERS IN CHICAGO

Skyscrapers

Tokyo CROWDED SIDEWALKS OF ONE OF MOST POPULATED CITIES IN THE WORLD CROWDED SIDEWALKS OF ONE OF MOST POPULATED CITIES IN THE WORLD

Tokyo

SEOUL AT NIGHT SEOUL AT NIGHT

GANGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT IN SEOUL

Defining a City Large industrialized cities generally have advanced systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation and more. This close proximity greatly facilitates interaction between people and firms, benefiting both parties in the process.

Defining a City However, there is debate now whether the age of technology and instantaneous communication with the use of the Internet are making cities obsoletE

Defining a City A big city, or metropolis, may have suburbs. Such cities are usually associated with metropolitan areas and urban sprawl, creating large amounts of business commuters. Once a city sprawls far enough to reach another city, this region can be deemed a conurbation or megalopolis.

URBAN SPRAWL: CALGARY

URBAN SPRAWL: PARIS

RURAL AREAS NC

SINGLE FAMILY NC

Theories/Explanations why Cities originated 1. Agricultural Surplus 1. Agricultural Surplus 2. Hydrological factors 2. Hydrological factors 3. Population pressures 3. Population pressures 4. trading requirements 4. trading requirements 5. Defense needs 5. Defense needs 6. Religious causes 6. Religious causes None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, but a combination of these factors None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, but a combination of these factors

Theories/Explanations why Cities originated 1. Agricultural Surplus 1. Agricultural Surplus 2. Hydrological factors 2. Hydrological factors 3. Population pressures 3. Population pressures

Theories/Explanations why Cities originated 4. trading requirements 4. trading requirements 5. Defense needs 5. Defense needs 6. Religious causes 6. Religious causes

Theories/Explanations why Cities originated 5. Defense needs 5. Defense needs 6. Religious causes 6. Religious causes None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, but a combination of these factors None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, but a combination of these factors

1. Agricultural Surplus Roots in archaeology – Roots in archaeology – G. Childe, L. Woolley Production of more food than was needed, created necessity for centralized structures to administer Production of more food than was needed, created necessity for centralized structures to administer –New social institutions needed to assign rights over resources –Created greater degree of occupational specialization in non-agricultural activities –Organization needed an urban setting

1. Agricultural Surplus Critique: Critique: Too simplistic – agr. Surplus not enough to trigger off all these societal changes Too simplistic – agr. Surplus not enough to trigger off all these societal changes Cause-and-effect – not straight forward – which preceded the other surplus or social org. Cause-and-effect – not straight forward – which preceded the other surplus or social org.

2. Hydrological factors - Early cities emerged in areas of irrigated agri. Karl Wittfogel - Early cities emerged in areas of irrigated agri. Elaborate irrigation practices required new divisions of labor, large scale cooperation, and more cultivation Elaborate irrigation practices required new divisions of labor, large scale cooperation, and more cultivation Led to occupational specialization, then centralized social organization Led to occupational specialization, then centralized social organization Hence urban development Hence urban development –Critique: A complex social organization structure not necessary for irrigation –Not all early cities depended on massive irrigation

3. Population Pressures – Attributes cities to increasing population densities and growing scarcity of wild food Esther Boserup – Attributes cities to increasing population densities and growing scarcity of wild food =transition to agricultural production, and urban life =transition to agricultural production, and urban life Critique: Critique: Relationship unclear: Did food production and urban life cause or were a result of increased population densities? Relationship unclear: Did food production and urban life cause or were a result of increased population densities?

4. Trading Requirements Emergence of cities – a function of long- distance trade Emergence of cities – a function of long- distance trade Need for a system to administer large-scale exchange of goods – promoted development of centralized structures Need for a system to administer large-scale exchange of goods – promoted development of centralized structures Increasing occupational specialization would encourage urban development Increasing occupational specialization would encourage urban development Theory supported by the many urban centers around marketplaces Theory supported by the many urban centers around marketplaces Critique: Critique: –Again, cause-and-effect issue: between trade and urban development!

5. Defense needs and others Max Weber and others Cities a function of need for people to gather together for protection Cities a function of need for people to gather together for protection Cities located on strategic places (hills) where could spot enemy at distance Cities located on strategic places (hills) where could spot enemy at distance – argued that valuable irrigation systems need protection from attack Wittfogel – argued that valuable irrigation systems need protection from attack Evidence: Most cities had walls (fortified) Evidence: Most cities had walls (fortified) Critique: Critique: Not all early cities had defenses Not all early cities had defenses

6. Religious Causes and others Sjoberg and others Control of Alter offerings by the religious elite – gave them economic and political power Control of Alter offerings by the religious elite – gave them economic and political power Power was used to influence social organization – initiated urban dev. Power was used to influence social organization – initiated urban dev. Critique: Critique:

Can the origin of cities be attributed solely to any one of the above 6 factors? Capital NO! Capital NO! : No single autonomous causative factor has been (or will be) identified. Wheatley: No single autonomous causative factor has been (or will be) identified. None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, of these factors None of all 6 offers sufficient explanation, but a combination of these factors Has seen a involving caused rather than an abrupt urban evolution Has seen a gradual transformation involving caused incremental change over time rather than an abrupt urban evolution

URBAN ORIGINS: REGIONS 5 Regions credited with the earliest development of cities: 5 Regions credited with the earliest development of cities: Mesopotamia, Egypt, The Indus Valley, Northern China, and Mesoamerica Mesopotamia, Egypt, The Indus Valley, Northern China, and Mesoamerica 1. Mesopotamia 1. Mesopotamia

Urban Origins 1. Mesopotamia – Land between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – area of modern day Iraq! 1. Mesopotamia – Land between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – area of modern day Iraq! Earliest evidence for urbanization – approx. 3500BC Earliest evidence for urbanization – approx. 3500BC The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent City States City States 2. Egypt - Along Nile valley 2. Egypt - Along Nile valley Around 3100 BC Around 3100 BC Agriculture - Irrigation Agriculture - Irrigation Short lifespan for cities Short lifespan for cities Cities usually abandoned after the death of a Pharaoh – leader Cities usually abandoned after the death of a Pharaoh – leader BC – founding of Capital Cities – Thebes, Tanis, etc BC – founding of Capital Cities – Thebes, Tanis, etc

Urban Origins 1. Mesopotamia – Land between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – area of modern day Iraq! 1. Mesopotamia – Land between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates – area of modern day Iraq! Earliest evidence for urbanization – approx. 3500BC Earliest evidence for urbanization – approx. 3500BC The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent City States City States

Cont. 3. Indus Valley – 2500BC 3. Indus Valley – 2500BC Modern day Pakistan Modern day Pakistan Agriculture and trade Agriculture and trade 4. Northern China – Along the fertile plains of R. Huang He – 1800BC 4. Northern China – Along the fertile plains of R. Huang He – 1800BC Supported by irrigated agriculture Supported by irrigated agriculture 5. Mesoamerica – 500BC 5. Mesoamerica – 500BC Based on agriculture Based on agriculture Mayan civilization Mayan civilization Modern day Mexico Modern day Mexico

REGIONS OF URBAN ORIGIN

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

INTERNAL STRUCTURE (ORGANIC) OF UR, MESOPOTAMIA – Fig. 2.3

PLANNED CITY GROWTH OF MOHENJO-DARO, INDUS VALLEY (see gridiron plan)– Fig. 2.4

INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF EARLY CITIES IN MESOPOTAMIA Were City states – means were political entities on their own with a sovereign govt Were City states – means were political entities on their own with a sovereign govt Featured an organic growth process Featured an organic growth process Prominent features (eg. Ur, Mesopotamia): Prominent features (eg. Ur, Mesopotamia): 1. Walled City, appr. 35,000 people 1. Walled City, appr. 35,000 people 2. Religious and administrative core area – reserved for priests and royal household 2. Religious and administrative core area – reserved for priests and royal household 3. Outer city or suburbs – remainder of the city state – houses, farms (200,000 people 3. Outer city or suburbs – remainder of the city state – houses, farms (200,000 people

URBAN EXPANSION FROM THE REGIONS OF ORIGIN Spread of urbanization from areas of origin- involved uneven development Spread of urbanization from areas of origin- involved uneven development Some urbanized civilizations became rural in the process, were later revived, and recolonized Some urbanized civilizations became rural in the process, were later revived, and recolonized Spread associated with long-distance trade Spread associated with long-distance trade Ex. the silk road – an ancient trade network that extended across central Asia Ex. the silk road – an ancient trade network that extended across central Asia Produced an extensive system of cities Produced an extensive system of cities

URBAN EXPANSION FROM THE REGIONS OF ORIGIN

THE SILK ROAD: LONG DISTANCE TRADE AND URBAN EXPANSION – Fig. 2.6

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

GENERAL PLAN OF A TYPICAL GREEK CITY STATE – Fig. 2.7

GREEK CITY STATES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN (Note cities Located along coastlines) – Fig. 2.8

ROMAN CITIES Greeks loose independence – 338BC Greeks loose independence – 338BC Greek civilization displaced by the expanding Roman empire Greek civilization displaced by the expanding Roman empire By AD 200 – Romans had established towns in Southern Europe By AD 200 – Romans had established towns in Southern Europe Laid foundation for Western European urban system Laid foundation for Western European urban system Cities connected to one another and to Rome by a system or roads Cities connected to one another and to Rome by a system or roads Health improvements Health improvements Cities also fortresses – built around military grounds Cities also fortresses – built around military grounds

CITIES OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE AD 200 – Fig. 2.9 (A well integrated urban system and transportation network)

GENERAL PLAN OF A TYPICAL ROMAN CITY – Fig. 2.10

THE DARK AGES and the URBAN REVIVAL Rome falls in the 5 th C – Rome falls in the 5 th C – Dark ages a period of stagnation – saw a decline in city life Dark ages a period of stagnation – saw a decline in city life Meanwhile, cities thrived elsewhere – Arab world – Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, etc Meanwhile, cities thrived elsewhere – Arab world – Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, etc Transition from feudalism – saw increased trade Transition from feudalism – saw increased trade Medieval period - 11 th C – a revival of cities around trade Medieval period - 11 th C – a revival of cities around trade 14 th and 18 th C – Renaissance – (protestant reformation and scientific revolution – saw significant change in social, pol., and economic organization 14 th and 18 th C – Renaissance – (protestant reformation and scientific revolution – saw significant change in social, pol., and economic organization

Urban Expansion and Consolidation During the Renaissance and Baroque Periods 14 th -18 th C – aggressive European colonization 14 th -18 th C – aggressive European colonization Need to connect colonies to European urban and economic systems Need to connect colonies to European urban and economic systems Spanish and Portuguese started with colonial cities – Latin America Spanish and Portuguese started with colonial cities – Latin America Mainly Administrative and military centers Mainly Administrative and military centers Extension of trading networks worldwide – required establishment of gateway cities Extension of trading networks worldwide – required establishment of gateway cities Gateway cities established as links and control centers eg. North America Gateway cities established as links and control centers eg. North America

Urbanization and the Industrial Revolution Industrialization began in England Industrialization began in England Industrialization and cities grew hand-in-hand. Industrialization and cities grew hand-in-hand. Cities as production centers Cities as production centers Manchester UK – shock city of European industrialization in the 19 th C Manchester UK – shock city of European industrialization in the 19 th C 15,000 (1750); 70,000 (1801); ½ a million (1961); and 2.3 million (1911). 15,000 (1750); 70,000 (1801); ½ a million (1961); and 2.3 million (1911). Industrial City; also a World city Industrial City; also a World city Industrialization and urbanization spread to other parts of Europe Industrialization and urbanization spread to other parts of Europe

Review Origin of cities – theories Origin of cities – theories Earliest cities and their internal structure Earliest cities and their internal structure The spread of urbanization The spread of urbanization –Greek cities –Roman cities –European cities and spread –American cities –Rest of the World

Defining a City (orig slide No single definition for all cities No single definition for all cities Some agreed upon definitions: Some agreed upon definitions: Wheatley – captures social and political changes surrounding the emergence of cities (see def. on Text pg. 22) Wheatley – captures social and political changes surrounding the emergence of cities (see def. on Text pg. 22) Sjoberg – Definition highlights physical and economic highlights to define a city (ibid) Sjoberg – Definition highlights physical and economic highlights to define a city (ibid) Childe – Identifies distinctive features - size, structure of pop., public capital, governance, trade Childe – Identifies distinctive features - size, structure of pop., public capital, governance, trade –Uses urban civilization to define the city – urbanization and civilization historically linked!