This anthology synthesises a wealth of published research to provide students of the city with a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the key concepts and themes in contemporary urban studies.This collection comprises over 130 seminal readings accompanied by embedded references to guide further study. The readings have been selected from an international range of academic and professional journals. They include some of the most influential classic writings on the city as well as more recent research that contributes significantly to our understanding of the contemporary city.In addition to its global perspective, the anthology is based on a cross-disciplinary approach, drawing on the best scholarship to illuminate the complex nature of the city. Research has been incorporated from fields as diverse as geography, economics, planning, sociology, politics, psychology, architecture, history and archaeology to provide an essential collection of readings on The City.