The Evolution of American Urban Society: CourseSmart eTextbook - Softcover

Chudacoff, Howard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0130115819 ISBN 13: 9780130115812

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

Surveying American urbanization from the sixteenth century to the present, this well-rounded and well-written book blends social, political, economic, and cultural history perspectives to shed light on the ways in which diverse peoples have inhabited and interacted in cities. KEY TOPICS: Highlights urbanization's constantly shifting nature, weaving insightful discussions throughout on adapting, and coping between people, the environment that they build, and the power structures that affect their lives. Includes discussions on ethnic and racial minority issues, women, African-Americans, Civil War, urban politics, boss politics and reform, and much more. Features exceptional illustrations throughout plus a fully annotated bibliography, and now covers social history, cultural history and government policy up to the end of the 20th century. MARKET: For urban planners, historians, economists, and sociologists.

About this title

From the Back Cover

In over three centuries of growth and change, American cities have exerted forces that have been both centrifugal―pulling people, resources, and interest toward them―and centripetal―sending out goods, services, and ideas. The story of how these forces evolved over time encompasses almost every aspect of American history. Always cognizant of change over time, this book explores the ways that urban development influenced people's lives and on the ways people shaped the urban environment.

A city is simultaneously a social, economic, and political entity, and Howard P. Chudacoff and Judith E. Smith have taken care to examine each of these dimensions of urban life. Their focus is on urban society: its institutions, its activities, and, especially, its people. The authors address questions such as:

• Why do people go to the city?
• What do they find there?
• How do they cope?
• What do they contribute?
• How are they rewarded?

In this, the Sixth Edition, Chudacoff and Smith pay particular attention to issues of race, ethnicity, gender, the built environment, regional differentials, and emerging cultural forms such as rock and rap music. New material has been added on the environmental impact of cities and suburbs and on the new racial and ethnic mix produced by the most recent immigration trends. In addition, the final chapter has been expanded to take into account issues relating to the presidential administration of George W. Bush and to the consequences of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Synopsis

For undergraduate courses on Urban History, Urban Economics, Urban Sociology, Urban Planning, Social History, Urban Studies, and Urban Politics. Helping students understand the historical issues underlying the society in which they live, this absorbing text surveys the dynamics of American urbanization from the sixteenth century to the present, skillfully blending historical perspectives on society, economics, politics, and policy, and focusing on the ways in which diverse peoples have inhabited and interacted in cities. Examining opposing centripetal and centrifugal forces in urbanization, it tackles sensitive ethnic and racial minority issues, offers multiple perspectives on women, and highlights urbanization's constantly shifting nature-weaving insightful discussions throughout on adapting, and coping between people, the environment that they build, and the power structures that affect their lives.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0130115819
• ISBN 13: 9780130115812
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 337