Lewis Mumfqrd and “Aimti-Urbaimism”

Abstract

In the past decade students of the city have become accustomed to reading about the “anti-urban” tradition in American thought. Lewis Mumford is frequently singled out as a prime example and leading exponent of this anti-urban sentiment. But a closer look at the criticism and at Mumford's work reveals that to so label him is to distort a complex human response toward modern urban life. The study of Mumford's views suggests that further investigation of urban attitudes will not benefit from continued reliance on the anti-urban category.