Urbanisation and its importance in human affairs. Global patterns of urbanisation since 1945. Urbanisation, suburbanisation, counter-urbanisation, urban resurgence. The emergence of megacities and world cities and their role in global and regional economies. Economic, social, technological, political and demographic processes associated with urbanisation and urban growth. Urban change: deindustrialisation, decentralisation, rise of service economy. Urban policy and regeneration in Britain since 1979.