City Evolution: From Ancient Greece to Modern Urbanism
Item 1: At birth, cities can concentrate political and economic power, enabling them to impose bans and punish non-compliance. In Greek cities, values of respect for the law and the constitution were paramount. The state maintained a balance of free men before the law, based on free will, not force. The ideal city-states allowed citizens to integrate and feel a sense of community. Life in a defined territory, along with participation, fostered a connection to the community's politics.
The city was a school of citizenship, teaching civilized living. The constitution of Cleisthenes was the fundamental law for male citizens of Athens. All citizens over 20 years old participated in the Assembly. Magistrates had high turnover, ensuring no citizen...