Living in the City: Urban Institutions in the Low Countries, 1200û2010

A number of aspects of the historical relationship between cities, civics, and the role of institutions can be traced as far back as ancient Athens. Throughout the centuries, growth in urban populations and increases in immigration have been tied to perceived economic opportunity, political stability, geographical attractiveness, cultural activity, and institutional attractiveness, such as rights of citizenship.Within the broader context of the Low Countries, this volume devotes attention to the institutional arrangements of cities, examining the extent to which institutional design influenced the settlement and integration of immigrants, as well as the desire of 'natives' to remain. The concept of 'institution' is broadly defined ' focusing not only on the political leadership of cities but also on social, cultural, and economic institutions that influenced the lives of residents. Essays in this volume explore the relationship of various populaces with churches, militias and guilds, neighbourhood associations, political parties, and other aspects of civil society. Such a systematic survey of the dimensions of the institutional perspective provides an analysis of the pulling-power of cities in citizens, as well as the process of settlement and integration, offering a structured comparison between cities over diverse periods and insight into why people arrive, stay, and leave.