Städer, begrepp och perspektiv – ett ordnat kaos

Abstract

Towns, concepts and perspectives – an orderly chaos. This article is an investigation into towns, concepts and perspectives of towns. The concepts of urbanization, urbanism and urbanity all go back to the Latin word urbs, thereby carrying a bias from
Antiquity. Both present and past concepts demonstrate a range of expectations to certain settlements and a confusing use of language. Criteria reflect a choice of perspective and accessible sources. Six different perspectives have dominated the urban
discourse. However, there can only be common concepts if a specific perspective is applied. The present orderly chaos of criteria, concepts and perspectives are preferable to commonly adopted definitions, concepts, and views.