The SAGE Companion to the City

“This book pulls together an exceptional range of literature in addressing the complexity of contemporary patterns and processes of urbanization. It offers a rich array of concepts and theories and is studded with fascinating examples that illustrate the changing nature of cities and urban life.”
-Paul Knox, University Distinguished Professer, Virginia Tech University


This well-organized and up-to-date text is a comprehensive study guide to the city. It explains and evaluates the key ideas informed by the latest research, adding the necessary historical context to situate the student in the literature and the essential debates.

Organized in four sections The SAGE Companion to the City provides a systematic A-Z to understanding the city that explains the interrelations between society, culture, and economy. Each chapter is illustrated with key extracts from the literature:

• Section One: Histories explains power; religion; science and technology; modernity; and the landscape of the city.
• Section Two: Economies and Inequalities explains work and leisure; globalization; innovation and the economy; and the role of the state.
• Section Three: Communities explains migration and settlement; segregation and division; civility; house and home; and housing and homelessness.
• Section Four: Order and Disorder explains politics and policy; planning and conflict; law and order; and surveillance and terror.

Intended Audience: An accessible guide to all areas of urban studies, The SAGE Companion to the City offers both a contemporary cutting edge reflection and measured historical and geographical reflection on urban studies. It is essential reading for students of any discipline interested in the city as an object of study. (20080211)