Chapter 67

The Historical Geography of European Cities: An Interpretive Essay

Paul M. Hohenberg (Prof. Emeritus)hohenp@rpi.edu     Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA.

JEL classification: N93, N94, R11, R12

Abstract

Over a millennium Europe has become largely urban. While urban growth, absolute and as a percentage of a growing population, has been as dramatic as economic change, many elements of continuity tie the present to the past. This evolution with path dependence is highlighted if one looks at European urban economies in terms of a dual systems model combining central place and network relationships. After the medieval push of town creation and differentiation, the early modern period saw a slowing of the increase in urban ...

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