It has also been subject to criticism and revision by subsequent scholars, who have pointed out that it is based on a narrow and Western conception of cities and that it does not adequately capture the complexity and diversity of urban life in other parts of the world.Ĭities of different sizes can play important roles in regional, national, and global economies and societies. Wirth's definition of a city has been influential in the field of sociology and has shaped the way that scholars and policymakers have thought about the nature and function of cities.

Some examples of cities that may fit the characteristics of Wirth's city could include: These characteristics of cities, Wirth argued, have important social and psychological consequences for the people who live in them. Louis Wirth, an American sociologist, defined a city as a 'permanent settlement of relatively large size, relatively high population density, and relatively diverse population with respect to social and economic status, race, and culture.' Wirth's definition of a city is based on three characteristics that distinguish cities from rural areas: large size, high population density, and social stratification and heterogeneity.Īccording to Wirth, the large size and high population density of cities create a sense of anonymity and impersonality among residents, and the social stratification and heterogeneity of cities create a sense of diversity and complexity.

Alpha-level global cities 2016