Metropolis

Past civilizations have always expressed themselves in great cities, immense in size, wealth, and in their contribution to human progress. We are still fascinated by ancient cities in Babylon, Rome, and Constantinople. Today, giant cites abound, but some are pre-eminent. As always, they represent the greatest achievements of different cultures. This book examines the idea of a class of supercities in the past and present, and in both the western and developing worlds. It analyzes their special characteristics; the effect of technology on their form and function; and the problems that come with size--congestion, poverty and inequality, squalor--that are sobering contrasts to the inherent glamour and attraction of great cities throughout time.