Introduction to Urban Anthropology and Sociology .......... 15

The article sheds light on the key concepts of urban anthropology and sociology. The author analyses various schools and theories of urban anthropology and sociology, starting with the Chicago School/Ecological School and ending with contemporary concepts of creative and global cities. The article addresses issues such as: semiotic aspects of a city, memory and heritage of a city, as well as the concept of the mental map. The author analyses also the problem of urban crisis and its consequences such as: suburbanization and shrinking cities, segregation, inequality, and gentrification. The article also discusses the idea of the right to the city and urban social movements as well as the process of urban renewal.