Urbanization in Southeastern Europe displays significant idiosyncrasies. While the region was predominantly rural long into the 20th century, cities grew rapidly after World War II, causing deep socio-cultural changes which gained in momentum after the end of socialism. The articles in this volume, originally presented at the conference 'Urban Life and Culture in Southeastern Europe' in Belgrade, May 2005, explore these changes past and present, focusing on urban culture, social topography, urban planning, and urban-rural relations.