Urbanization has traditionally been seen as a pivotal component of the shift from agrarian to industrial societies, and of the rising living standards which ensued. But in the twentieth century the relationship appears in many parts of the world to have been reversed. This session of the XIIIth World Congress of the IEHA aims to explore the causes and implications of this shift.
Papers may address the following possible themes:
* the relationship between counter-urban migration and economic development
* the relevance of social and cultural factors to contrasting national experiences of counter-urbanization
* internationally-favoured regions of rural in-migration e.g. the Dordogne, Tuscany etc.
* contrasts between countries of old settlement and 'frontier' societies
* imperialism, racism and contempt for rural 'backwardness' in the southern hemisphere.
Papers which adopt a comparative perspective (especially those which relate to countries outside Western Europe/North America) are particulary welcome. Proposals for contributions (title, short abstract and CV) should be sent by 31st March 2000 to Dr Jeremy Burchardt at the address below.