American Historians and the Study of Urbanization

Abstract

PUBLIC concern with nation's cities and their is almost as old as cities themselves. Like beauty, however, problems exist in eye of beholder; they reveal more about nature of observer, perhaps, than about object observed. Thus, after more than half a century of problem-oriented research on cities, it is surprising how little we know about phenomenon of urbanization, or, to adapt Josh Billings, how much we know ain't so. The proliferation of undergraduate courses in urban sociology, mushroom growth of a planning profession, and lively interest of politicians and publicists in the exploding metropolis should not obscure fact that we have neglected study of social processes that create cities. A review of literature in field, moreover, gives rise to an uneasy feeling that many of us, historians and social scientists alike, are still working with outmoded concepts and inadequate tools. Revival of public concern in recent years, therefore, provides an occasion for intellectual stocktaking which is long overdue.It may be helpful to consider some of possible shortcomings as they have affected historical studies of American cities. Until recently historians have had little cause for satisfaction with their contributions to field. American urban history-what there is of it-is largely history of cities and their problems, not history of urbaniza-