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 felt excluded from government responsibility. The Council of Five Hundred and the Greek democratic tribunals were crucial. The model declined due to the emergence of other philosophical currents and the concentration of power elsewhere.

The great empires shifted policy to a higher level, diminishing citizenship. After a millennium, the revolution in cities ended feudalism and led to the modern state. The bourgeoisie set rules to end violence in cities, organizing citizens. In Spain, Royal Charters were granted to repopulate conquered lands. War in cities aimed to eliminate feudalism and address overpopulation, leading to productive land use. New administrative levels like provinces and departments were legalized. Conflicts arose between local, provincial, and regional governments. The municipality is considered part of the state's territorial organization, yet it has autonomy, potentially leading to the state being seen as a community of local communities.

Item 2: Old city administration is difficult, leading to a disconnect in urban management. While the conduct of its organs is centralized, neighborhoods are created. Delegations emerge, along with new urban social movements like neighborhood associations. Municipal administrations are aware of their congestion, which makes them slow and ineffective, causing community dissatisfaction. Despite recognizing the need for citizen cooperation, local public authorities distrust excessive citizen collaboration. Neighborhood social movements fear that institutions will compromise their purity. This distrust hinders good collaborations. Mechanisms for communication with the population must be created. As in Greece, citizens should assume responsibility and feel identified with the government.