The City: The Basics

The City: The Basics, 1st Edition, is an introductory textbook by Kevin Archer that examines the study of cities and urban living. Published by Routledge as part of The Basics series, the volume investigates how urban centers function across economic, political, cultural, and environmental dimensions.

The text provides a comparative view of urban development, tracing settlement patterns from ancient eras through the post-modern period. Archer contrasts global cities across the prosperous Global North with megacities situated in the less affluent Global South.

Featuring dedicated maps alongside curated reading suggestions, the book serves as an accessible resource for students seeking a foundation in urban studies.