Community studies and an urban focus are returning to the social studies. This digest reviews urban studies from a historical perspective. The first section discusses the value of studying cities, noting that city living is becoming fashionable again, and a movement called the New Urbanism has brought a new appreciation for the social, cultural, and ecological virtues of the old urban neighborhoods. The second section looks at source materials for teaching urban studies (including basic texts, resources on the politics of urban development, resources on urban geography and history, and curriculum materials). The third section discusses the importance of exploring the cityscape, suggesting that classroom work on the urban experience should be viewed as preparation for the direct experience of the city itself. It encourages educators to take their classes out into the city. The digest offers suggestions for educators who want to use the story of the city, especially its neighborhoods and suburbs, as the basis for sustained investigation in social studies classes. In the process, the city itself becomes a primary source that students can read as a text. (SM)