cities

Cities are large, densely populated human settlements that function as centers of economic activity, governance, and culture. They typically combine housing, workplaces, transportation networks, and public services that distinguish them from smaller settlements such as towns or villages. The definition of a city varies by country and administrative tradition, and size alone is not always the determining factor; legal status and urban intensity are also relevant.

Cities arise where activities such as trade, political power, religious authority, or resource management create demand for centralized administration and exchange. Over time, networks of streets, rail and road links, utilities, and institutions consolidate into urban systems that support complex economic and social life. Municipal governments organize land use through zoning, deliver services, and enforce regulations within defined boundaries, while metropolitan areas may cross local jurisdictions and require regional coordination.

Common functions of cities include hosting markets and firms, offering public services (education, health, safety), and serving as venues for culture, governance, and innovation. Urban areas concentrate infrastructure like housing, water, energy, waste management, and digital connectivity, but they also face challenges such as housing affordability, congestion, pollution, social inequality, and climate vulnerability. Urban planning approaches seek to guide growth, improve resilience, and enhance livability through strategies like transit-oriented development, housing policy, green spaces, and historic preservation. Cities exist in all regions and vary widely in size, morphology, and character, from historic centers to sprawling metropolitan regions.