ABSTRACT
Introduction While the study of urban symbolism is deeply rooted in history, it only gained momentum in the 1990s, during which period a series of urban symbolism case studies were completed, resulting in a variety of noteworthy articles and monographs.1 These studies approached each city in an open way and attempted to unveil basic themes underlying its symbolic configuration. The multitude of single-city studies stimulated the development of a large number of concepts. These concepts enabled easy and interesting fieldwork in any city deemed worthwhile, but also produced a certain level of theoretical complacency. While additional case studies do lead to the creation of new concepts, more fundamental reflection is necessary to create further challenges. One way to reach a new level of inspiration is by considering urban symbolism in relation to the study of symbolism in general, looking to the whole field and its basis in semiotics.
