The Economic History of Urbanization

Ancient Jericho, located in the Jordan Valley, stands as a prime candidate for being the world's first city, with archaeological evidence indicating it housed approximately 2,000 inhabitants dating back to at least the ninth millennium BC. This discovery underscores the profound impact of urbanization on human progress, from engineering advancements to cultural flourishes like art and literature. Cities emerged because the collective benefits of close-knit living—such as enhanced social interactions and shared resources—outweighed the challenges. The study synthesizes historical and economic perspectives to highlight how urbanization has consistently driven human achievement across civilizations.

Smith, F. The Economic History of Urbanization. The Routledge Handbook of Modern Economic History. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203075616.ch25