The History in Urban Studies: A Comment

A recent survey of the field of urban studies in this journal downplayed or overlooked the significance of urban history. In fact textbook coverage, and an analysis of urban publications in the Web of Science database, indicate that historical research has always played a major role in the field. For three reasons, it always should: the past shapes the present; the study of change encourages critical understanding; and the past offers many examples for use in comparative analysis.