Cities is a fascinating exploration of the nature of the city & city life, of its structures, development & inhabitants. From the ruins of the earliest cities to the present, Reader explores how cities coalesce, develop & thrive, how they can decline & die, how they remake themselves. He investigates their parasitic relationship with the countryside around them, the webs of trade & immigration they rely upon to survive, how they feed & water themselves & dispose of their wastes. It is a sweeping exploration of what the city is & has been, fit to stand alongside Lewis Mumford`s 1962 classic The City in History. ...

The 21st century will be the age of the city. Already over 50% of the world population live in urban centres & over the coming decades this percentage will increase. Blending anecdote, fact & first hand encounters
- from exploring the slums of Mumbai, to visiting roof-top farms in Brooklyn & attending secret dinner parties in Paris, to riding the bus in Latin America
- Leo Hollis reveals that we have misunderstood how cities work for too long. Upending long-held assumptions & challenging accepted wisdom, he explores: why cities can never be rational, organised places; how we can walk in a crowd without bumping into people, & if we can design places that make people want to kiss; whether we have the right solution to the problem of the slums; how ants, slime mould & traffic jams can make us rethink congestion. & above all, the unexpected reasons why living in the city can make us fitter, richer, smarter, greener, more creative
- &, perhaps, even happier. Cities Are Good for You introduces dreamers, planners, revolutionaries, writers, scientists, architects, slum-dwellers & emperors. It is shaped by the idea that cities are the greatest social experiment in human history, built for people, & by the people.


...

A series of vintage street maps of the world’s major cites in a jigsaw format: Piatnik introduces a series of 1000 pieces jigsaw puzzles reproducing old maps of the world’s most beautiful cites. The puzzles are presented in elegant carton boxes, decorated with overviews of the maps. The perfect gift for tourists & puzzle enthusiasts. ...

From Alexandria to York, this unique illustrated guide allows us to see the great centres of classical civilization afresh. The key feature of ” Cities of the Classical World” is 120 specially drawn maps tracing each city`s thoroughfares & defences, monuments & places of worship. Every map is to the same scale, allowing readers for the first time to appreciate visually the relative sizes of Babylon & Paris, London & Constantinople. There is also a clear, incisive commentary on each city`s development, strategic importance, rulers & ordinary inhabitants. This compelling & elegant atlas opens a new window on to the ancient world, & will transform the way we see it. ...

The Cities of the Imagination guide series provides an in-depth cultural & historical exploration of some of the great city landscapes of the world. Presented as a cultural & literary guide, each title in the series explores the history of the city, providing an overview of the city’s development from its earliest roots to the modern day. Particular emphasis is placed on the literary, poetic, architectural, cultural & historical elements that make up the city & each title is written & researched by an academic expert. An Epilogue offers thoughts on the future of the city, suggested further reading & indices of literary & historical names & famous places & attractions. ...

Peter Whitfield's Cities of the World is a fascinating & original look at the world's greatest cities, as he traces their historic form & special character through the city maps & panoramic views produced over the centuries. His concise accompanying text gives texture & detail to this handsome survey of 64 great cities, featuring 120 maps, town plans, & paintings drawn from the British Library. Illustrating the classical city-state, the medieval fortress, the baroque capital & the industrial metropolis, the images show how the architectural form & the social life of our cities have been shaped
- not only by their geographical setting, but also by religion, royal power, commerce, social ideals, & occasionally artistic vision.
...

Great cities marked the earliest development of civilization. From the worlds first true cities, in Mesopotamia, to the spectacular urban centres of the Maya in Central America, the places described here represent almost three millennia of human history, society & culture. Arranged geographically into five sections, each with an introduction by John Julius Norwich, Cities That Shaped the Ancient World takes a global view, beginning in the Near East with the earliest cities such as Ur & Babylon, Troy & Jerusalem. Africa gave rise to the conurbations of ancient Egypt such as Thebes & Amarna, & also the Ethiopian capital of Aksum. Glorious European metropolises, including Athens & Rome, ringed the Mediterranean, but also stretched to Trier on the turbulent frontier of the Roman empire. Asia had bustling commercial centres such as Mohenjo-daro & Xianyang, while in the Americas the Mesoamerican & Peruvian cultures stamped their presence on the landscape, creating impressive monuments, as at Caral & Teotihuacan. ...

Newly updated for 2018, CITIx 60: Barcelona is the essential guide for creative travelers. The sixty locations, activities & sightseeing opportunities within include many of your favorites from the previous edition, plus a handful of br&-new attractions. Chosen by local artists, designers & trendsetters, these selections offer up experiences a step beyond the general tourist fare. The attractions are split into five categories: landmarks & architecture, culture & art, shopping, restaurants & cafes & entertainment & nightlife. With CITIx 60 as your guide, youll see the city with a whole new set of eyes. This updated edition features contributions from locals Marc Castellini Hernandez, Lucia Vergara Ballester, Sergi Puyol & Laura Banchik, &

Includes:: such new attractions as Lost & Found Market, Bodega Sepulvida & more.

...

Culturally diverse & never short of surprises, New York is adored for its well-groomed glamour. Jacketed in a handsome city map drawn by Mike Perry, CITIx 60 New York gives you a good, varied taste of how the city upholds its reputation as a land of opportunities & dreams. Endorsed by 60 local ambassadors, all known for their accomplishments in the creative industry, the 60 hangouts list architecture, art spaces, shops & markets, dining & nightime activities, accompanied by Google Map QR code, top tips & useful apps to ease your trip. Readers will find updated visitor info, new locations & cultural events in this revised edition. ...

One of the most scenic cities on the planet & a leader in retail innovation, San Francisco now boasts more restaurants per capita than any other US city. But whether you are an inveterate shopper or an unrepentant foodie, it has much more to offer the casual visitor. With numerous & diverse neighborhoods, such as Japantown, Haight-Ashbury & the Castro, each with its own distinct character & makeup, & a variety of landscapes to explore, from the natural beauty of Golden Gate Park & Lands End to the serenity of Alcatraz isl&. Explore the organic appeal of the General Store with its amazing assortment of new & vintage home goods & then head up the street for a sundowner & dinner surrounded by the beach dcor of Outerlands. Or marvel at the incredible murals of Clarion Alley before stepping back in time to dance the night away at the Make Out Room in the Mission. Newer destinations such as 24th Street or Dog Patch with the unique galleries at Minnesota Street Project keep the assortment fresh. Round it out with world-class museums, architecture & music festivals & you have one of the greatest cities on Earth. ...