The background against which cities have to live, strive and survive. The things that impact on cities in terms of their culture, or their society, economy or environment. Events, trends and ideas likely to affect the citizens, and the future of cities. This is the background information that Urban Practitioners should be aware of to understand the wider world, where it is heading, and what is affecting their cities.

Relates to cities as a group. Trends, news items, research, background information and material on common problems and how they are being dealt with. This is the basic update on what is happening to cities world wide. The knowledge of cities as a human phenomenon that urban professionals really need to know, from New York to Nuremburg to Nagoya to the new subdivision down the road.

Recent publications that may tempt you to spend a quiet night reading; to inspire, inform or catch up. New books, research and government reports relating to cities in general, or to aspects that really should be understood.

News from the Major Cities of the world and from the smaller places doing things right (or wrong). Updates on major development or planning projects, reviews of past activity, or relevant happenings. Nothing of worldwide importance, but very big news for the locals affected.

Urban Culture is that strange and evolving blend of the ethnic, the national, the global, the bizarre, and the mundane, even banal. Every city blends its own urban culture to suit its geography, its origins, and its aspirations (often unintentional). This section looks at urban arts, fashion, attitudes, problems and the unique aspects of urban living in a global context.

Practical lessons and thoughts for Urban Practitioners. The "How to", "How was it done", and the technical mechanics for Urban Professionals. The Urban World is a giant laboratory in which we can learn from the experiences of other cities.

Useful and interesting websites providing information or insights, or just plain thought-provoking on aspects of the Urban World.

User’s comments on life in the cities we work on. Isn't it odd that sometimes their views on things differ from ours. Feel free to send something through on where you live and work.

In understanding the present, it is important to understand where we have come from, and the processes that lead to our present ways of life. It is too easy to judge the past (and the future) by what we think now. It is harder, and more relevant, to understand the past in the context of the thinking of that time. This section should help in understanding our common urban roots and cultures.

Brain food. Something to appeal to the mind interested in the sciences, the arts, the arcane, and the fascinating. Nothing directly to do with cities, but of interest to inquiring minds. Many things impact on people and cities: one of these seemingly non-urban items may just spark a brilliant thought.