The City Assembled is a unique history of the elements of cities. It takes its place alongside Kostof's previous book The City Shaped as an essential text for town planners and urban designers.

Kostof follows the evolution of city components to modern times, discussing the effect of natural disasters like the Great Fire of London and the Lisbon earthquake, war and comprehensive redevelopment, compared with traditional patterns of growth and change. Over 300 drawings, prints, paintings and photographs help to tell the story from the colonnaded streets of ancient Palmyra to shopping malls and gentrified London squares.

Both a classic study in architectural and social history and a pointer to the future, The City Assembled is a fitting testament to Professor Kostof's wide-ranging intellectual powers.