Quite simply, cities are where the action is. They are the primary source and focus of our nation's cultural, economic, political, social and technological life. Urban centers house universities, museums, symphonies and other key centers of culture and entertainment. While urban centers are the source of our most important national resources in capital and intellect, they are also the scene of great societal problems such as crime, poverty and housing. What happens in our cities largely determines what happens to us, to our families, to our nation and to the world.
Cities are appropriate and important subjects for study and scholarly inquiry.
The field of urban studies is highly interdisciplinary. It draws upon specialists in sociology, economics, history, political science, urban planning, business and other fields. It may emphasize the study of the relationship of the individual to his or her environment. It may emphasize problem-solving and analytical processes in an urban context. Or it may emphasize the nature of current urban problems.