Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities, yet urbanism is a relatively recent development in human history, emerging only 5,000–6,000 years ago alongside the first states in regions such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. Despite their late appearance, cities have profoundly shaped cultural, social, political, and economic evolution. Understanding the factors that fostered urbanization—and the role of cities in driving large-scale social transformations—is essential for explaining long-term human development.

This workshop explores the paradox of early urbanism: before the 19th century, most cities were demographic sinks, sustained only by continual rural migration despite high mortality and poor living conditions. Why, then, did urbanism persist and spread? What vital functions did cities serve that outweighed their demographic costs, and through what mechanisms did they become central to human societies? These questions lie at the heart of our investigation into the evolutionary dynamics of urban life.

Participation in this workshop is by invitation only.