The sixth edition of The City Reader, part of the Routledge Urban Reader Series, offers a comprehensive exploration of urban studies and planning through an array of classic and contemporary writings. Edited by Richard T. LeGates, this volume is structured to map out the evolving landscape of city theory and practice, integrating insights from multiple disciplinary perspectives. With extensive updates reflecting current thinking on topics such as compact cities, sustainable development, globalization, climate change, and urban resilience, it provides a nuanced view of both traditional and emerging challenges faced by urban environments.

This edition includes sixty selections, forty-four from the previous edition and sixteen new additions, including three specially written for this volume. Authors featured range from historical figures such as Ebenezer Howard, Jane Jacobs, and LeCorbusier to contemporary scholars like Peter Hall, Manuel Castells, David Harvey, Saskia Sassen, and Kenneth Jackson. New contributions come from Yasser Elshestawy, Peter Taylor, Lawrence Vale, and others including Aristotle, Peter Calthorpe, Alberto Camarillo, and Bish Sanyal.

The book is organized with general and section introductions that provide contextual frameworks for understanding the selections. Each article also includes individual introductions, offering insights into the authors’ backgrounds and how their works fit within broader discussions in urban studies. Additionally, a revised and expanded set of fifty plates in four sections enriches the reader’s experience, providing visual support to the theoretical and practical content.

With its broad scope and deep dives into key issues shaping cities today, The City Reader serves as an indispensable resource for students, scholars, planners, and anyone interested in the complex dynamics of urban life.