As already stated the form of the city and its urban design have resulted from local economic policies with urban management and social and political relationships being the driving forces in . The form of cities offers readers a considered theoretical introduction to the art of designing cities demonstrates that cities are replete with symbolic values collective memory association and conflict proposes a new theoretical understanding of urban design based in political economy. The form of cities political economy and urban design by alexander r cuthbert j mark schuster city design and development group department of urban studies and planning massachusetts institute of technology search for more papers by this author j mark schuster. The form of cities offers readers a considered theoretical introduction to the art of designing cities demonstrates that cities are replete with symbolic values collective memory association and conflict proposes a new theoretical understanding of urban design based in political economy