Urbanism as a Way of Life

In the 1938 classic article by Louis Wirth that you read for our first class meeting, "Urbanism as a Way of Life," he attempts to define sociologically the essential characteristics of a city and to describe the distinctive "way of life" to which these characteristics give rise. Does Wirth's definition of the city still hold true today? Do you agree with Wirth's characterization of the urban way of life? Can you think of any essential features or problems associated with city living that he leaves out of account or does not emphasize sufficiently?