From their first emergence, urban settlements have conveyed a strong sense of identity. This one-day interdisciplinary conference will bring together historians of all eras with researchers of other disciplines studying contemporary cities and towns. It will explore society, culture, and landscape from premodern times, when the majority of the population lived in rural environments, to the predominance of urban living in the present. Keynote addressed will be given by Prof Matthew Carmona (University College London) and Prof Simon Marvin (University of Sheffield).