Title: Urbanization and the Development of Cities | Boundless Sociology
Headings: Urbanization and the Development of Cities
Urbanization and the Development of Cities
The Earliest Cities
Key Points
Key Terms
The Formation of Cities
Preindustrial Cities
Key Points
Key Terms
Cities as Political Centers
Trade Routes
Industrial Cities
Key Points
Key Terms
The Structure of Cities
Key Points
Key Terms
Urban Structure Models
Grid
Concentric Ring Model
Sectoral
Multiple Nuclei
Irregular Pattern
Alternate Uses of “Urban Structure”
The Process of Urbanization
Key Points
Key Terms
Urbanization and rural flight
Economic and Environmental Effects of Urbanization
Suburbanization and Counterurbanization
U.S. Urban Patterns
Key Points
Key Terms
The Rural Rebound
Key Points
Key Terms
Suburbanization
White Flight
Models of Urban Growth
Key Points
Key Terms
Growth Machine Theory
Urban Sprawl
Urban Decay
BROKEN WINDOWS
RESPONSES TO DECAY

Content: The conventional view holds that cities first formed after the Neolithic Revolution, with the spread of agriculture. The advent of farming encouraged hunter-gatherers to abandon nomadic lifestyles and settle near others who lived by agricultural production. Agriculture yielded more food, which made denser human populations possible, thereby supporting city development. Farming led to dense, settled populations, and food surpluses that required storage and could facilitate trade. These conditions seem to be important prerequisites for city life. Many theorists hypothesize that agriculture preceded the development of cities and led to their growth. A good environment and strong social organization are two necessities for the formation of a successful city. A good environment includes clean water and a favorable climate for growing crops and agriculture. A strong sense of social organization helps a newly formed city work together in times of need, and it allows people to develop various functions to assist in the future development of the city (for example, farmer or merchant). Without these two common features, as well as advanced agricultural technology, a newly formed city is not likely to succeed.