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3000 BCE
Ur (Mesopotamia)
One of the oldest well-documented urban settlements is Ur in Mesopotamia. (present day Iraq). According to the bible, Abraham lived here prior to his journey to Canaan around 1900 B.C. The remains of Ur provide evidence of early urban civilization. Ancient Ur was compact, covering around 100 hectares, and was surrounded by a wall. -
2500 BCE
Greco Roman/Area of City States
The first settlements in the eastern mediterranean were established around 2500 B.C. (Knossos-Island of Crete, Troy in Asia Minor-Turkey, and Mycenae in Greece) These settlements were trading centers, and they provided the government with military protection and public services. They were organized into city states. Athens was the largest city state in ancient Greece and it made substantial contributions to the development of culture, technology and philosophy of Western Civilizations. -
2500 BCE
Greco Roman/Area of City States Continuation
The rise of the Roman Empire inspired urban settlements. Most of Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia was under Roman rule. The city of Rome grew increasingly. Trade was encouraged through transportation and utility services, roads and aqueducts everywhere.(Roman Empire fell in the fifth century, settlements declined) -
250 BCE
Meso America/Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is perhaps the largest, most famous and most accessible Mayan site. The ruins of Chichen Itza are the most famous of the Maya archaeological sites in the state of Yucatan, and is very important to the Mayan Culture. -
Jan 1, 700
China
After the Roman Empire collapsed, the world’s largest urban settlements were clustered in China. (Xian- Chang'an, Kaifeng, Hangzhou, Nanjing- Jinling, and Beijing are estimated to have exceeded 1 million inhabitants between 700 and 1800 A.D.) -
Jan 1, 1001
Medieval Times
Urban life began to revive in Europe in the eleventh century as lords established new settlements. Lords gave residents charters of rights to establish independent cities for their military service. Trade and markets expanded once again. Bigger European settlements served as major market centers. Most of these settlements were covered by walls and these urban settlements were compact and lacked space for construction. -
Industrial Revolution
London grabbed the world’s largest urban settlement during the nineteenth century as part of the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization grew. -
Tokyo (Modern Day)
As of today Tokyo is considered the world’s largest urban settlement. Huge technological advancements. It has continued and is very likely to continue growing.
