1. Origins of Cities

2. Cities and Urban Geography
In /3 of the world lived in a city.
Today 1/2 of us live in cities and the number is increasing.

3. City Functions Commercial Centers Industrial Cities Primary Resources
Resort Cities
Government / Religious Centers
Education Centers

4. Site and situation of a city

5. Ancient World Cities
Ancient Ur in Iraq
Oldest cities are found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Indus Valley, Mesoamerica, Peru
Walled cities based on agricultural trade
Social stratification
10-15,000 people

6. CLASSICAL World Cities
Mediterranean
City-States
Hearth of extensive trade routes
Over 250,000 people

7. Medieval World Cities European Feudal Cities Begin in 11th Century
Independent cities formed in exchange for military service to feudal lord.
Improved roads encouraged trade
Dense and compact within defensive walls
EX: Paris
Paris, France
Cittadella, Italy

8. Industrial world cities
Centers of industry
Close to natural resources and trade routes
Rapid growth
Deleterious
Tenements and Slums
Pollution
Railroads
Over 1 million people
Ex: London, Paris, New York, Chicago

9. 20th century world cities
North America and Western Europe
Influx of migration
Skyscrapers
Top cities mostly in MDCs

10. Modern World Cities
A high percentage of world’s business is transacted and political power is concentrated in these cities.
Headquarters of large businesses
Media control centers
Access to political power
Major World Cities: London, New York, Tokyo

11. Largest world cities Ten Most Populous in A.D. 1950
1. New York million
2. Tokyo million
3. London million
4. Osaka million
5. Paris million
6. Moscow million
7. Buenos Aires million
8. Chicago million
9. Kolkata million
10. Shanghai million

12. Largest World Cities Ten Most Populous in A.D. 1975
1. Tokyo million
2. New York million
3. Shanghai million
4. México million
5. São Paulo million
6. Osaka million
7. Buenos Aires million
8. Los Angeles million
9. Paris million
10. Beijing million
Source: U.N., 2001
* Note that five of these cities are in the Core or more developed world.

13. Largest World Cities Ten Most Populous by A.D. 2015
1. Tokyo million
2. Bombay million
3. Lagos million
4. Shanghai million
5. Jakarta million
6. São Paulo million
7. Karachi million
8. Beijing million
9. Dhaka, Bangladesh million
10. México million
Source: U.N., 2001
* Note that only one of these cities is in the Core of the more developed world!

14. Largest world cities

15. City videos
Least Liveable Cities:
Worst Pollution:
Worst Traffic:
Crazy intersection:
Urbanization over history: