European Cities and Towns: 400-2000

by Peter Clark

Overview

Since the Middle Ages Europe has been one of the most urbanized continents on the planet and Europe's cities have firmly stamped their imprint on the continent's economic, social, political, and cultural life.

This study of European cities and towns from the fall of the Roman Empire to the present day looks both at regional trends from across Europe and also at the widely differing fortunes of individual communities on the roller coaster of European urbanization. Taking a wide-angled view of the continent that embraces northern and eastern Europe as well as the city systems of the Mediterranean and western Europe, it addresses important debates ranging from the nature of urban survival in the post-Roman era to the position of the European city in a globalizing world.

The book is divided into three parts, dealing with the middle ages, the early modern period, and the nineteenth and twentieth centuries - with each part containing chapters on urban trends, the urban economy, social developments, cultural life and landscape, and governance. Throughout, the book addresses key questions such as the role of migration, including that of women and ethnic minorities; the functioning of competition and emulation between cities, as well as issues of inter-urban cooperation; the different ways civic leaders have sought to promote urban identity and visibility; the significance of urban autonomy in enabling cities to protect their interests against the state; and not least why European cities and towns over the period have been such pressure cookers for new ideas and creativity, whether economic, political, or cultural.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198700548
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/15/2009
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	428
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Peter Clark is Professor of European Urban History at the University of Helsinki. Educated at Oxford, he was previously professor at the University of Leicester, where he was Director of the Centre for Urban History. In 1989 he helped found the European Association for Urban History.

Table of Contents

Preface1. IntroductionPart I c. 400-c15002. Urban Trends3. Economy4. Social Life5. Culture and Landscape6. GovernancePart II c. 1500-18007. Urban Trends8. Economy9. Social Life10. Culture and Landscape11. GovernancePart III c. 1800-200012. Urban Trends13. Economy14. Social Life15. Culture and Landscape16. GovernanceSelect Bibliography