The book is a classic of German urban sociology. From his critique of conservative urban criticism, Hans-Paul Bahrdt develops the fundamentals of his theory on the polarization of public and private life, drawing on Max Weber's definition of the city as a basis for a sociological concept of urbanity. His insightful theoretical discussions have not only significantly influenced the social scientific engagement with urban life but have also had a major impact on urban design and city planners in recent decades. The editor situates the book within the contemporary discussion of urbanity and provides an overview of the urban sociological literature.