ABSTRACT
The comparative historical geographical study of towns and cities developed from the 'urban landscape studies' of the 1920s. Niemeier attempted to define the principles of a global comparative urban geography. Regional geographical urban studies are therefore based on a selective comparative typology focused on dominant characteristics, progressing from these regional types to specific comparative analyses. Comparative approaches are found in 'general regional geography', 'general comparative geography', 'comparative geography', 'comparative regional geography', or 'comparative landscape studies'. Locational similarity was based on topographical or geographical locational characteristics, typical regional urban features or functional similarities. Topographical comparison is concerned with the topographical and geographical location of the town itself as well as individual elements, locations and locational contexts, spatial structure and subdivision, and spatial relationships. More directly object-related is the comparison of selected topographical elements that are less complex and comparable in themselves. The European town's atlas aims to make a contribution to closing the gap for comparative historico-topographical studies.
