Abstract
The A. shows how the empirical studies made on the basis of the classical theories of L. Wirth on urbani zation, have modified considerably the ideas we had on the origins of the urban way of life. It is also no longer possible to use dychomotic concepts such as rural-urban to analyse it. On the contrary, it appears that these phenomena ought to be analysed in the line of a more socio-cultural approach, including the study of industrialization and bureaucratization.