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The Evolution of Human Settlements

From Pleistocene Origins to Anthropocene Prospects

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

Authors:
  1. William M. Bowen

    1. Cleveland State University, Cleveland, USA

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Robert E. Gleeson

    1. Cleveland State University, Cleveland, USA

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Provides a coherent model with which to obtain an overview of the natural and social histories of diverse human societies throughout the world

  • Establishes context through background information about humans before settlements, the advent of permanent human settlements, and the change from settlements to civilizations

  • Synthesizes literature from multiple disciplines to describe the features of humans and human societies

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Background and Theory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Models for Thinking About Human Settlements

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 3-20

    3. General Systems Theory, Evolution, and Human Settlements

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 21-42

  3. The Prehistoric World: Human Origins of Settlement Systems

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 43-43
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    2. Humans Before Settlements

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 45-72

    3. The Advent of Permanent Human Settlements

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 73-94

    4. From Settlements to Civilizations

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 95-122

  4. Elements of the Great Transition

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 123-123
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    2. Mechanisms of Settlement Evolution: Cultural Learning and the Creation of Social Institutions

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 125-151

    3. Human Problem-Solving

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 153-179

    4. Theory of Mind in Settlement System Evolution

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 181-199

    5. The Industrial Revolution and Its Effects

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 201-224

  5. Prospects for Settlement Systems at the Beginning of the Anthropocene

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 225-225
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    2. Decision-Making, the Direction of Change, and the Governance of Complex, Large-Scale Settlement Systems

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 227-246

    3. Sustainability Problems Facing Industrial Settlement Systems

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 247-272

    4. Prospects for Human Settlements in the Anthropocene: Challenges to Equality, Sustainability, and Agency

      • William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson
      Pages 273-300

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 301-309
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Keywords

About this book

This book analyzes the history and development of settlements—from the earliest periods in human history to the present day—from a Darwinian evolutionary perspective. At the foundation of the evolutionary model is the argument that the human capacity for complex communication and unique problem-solving ability have led to the formation and reality of the modern city and its scaled-up megacity status. While evolutionary theory forms the platform for the book’s argument, general systems theory provides the operational framework for the organization and interpretations of each chapter. Throughout the book, the authors tackle various issues, questions, and possibilities regarding the future development and evolution of human settlements.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Cleveland State University, Cleveland, USA

    William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson

About the authors

William M. Bowen is Professor of Urban Studies and Public Administration at Cleveland State University, USA.


Robert E. Gleeson is Professor and Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service at Cleveland State University, USA.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Evolution of Human Settlements

  • Book Subtitle: From Pleistocene Origins to Anthropocene Prospects

  • Authors: William M. Bowen, Robert E. Gleeson

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95034-1

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-95033-4Published: 16 August 2018

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-06960-5Published: 31 January 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-95034-1Published: 03 August 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 309

  • Number of Illustrations: 9 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Urban Studies/Sociology

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