ABSTRACT
The study of Southeast Asia’s urban history has developed considerably in recent years, partly in response to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization as the region deals with the political and economic realignments of the post-Cold War era. Still, interpretations and frameworks from the past continue to shape research on both the historical development and contemporary problems of the city. Foremost among these frameworks is that of the nation-state. On the one hand, it is logical to focus on urban systems within national boundaries, since the lines of power and finance that govern the city tend to run through the capitol. On the other, situating cities within the physical and administrative structures of the nation-state overlooks the deep urban history of the region, which fits poorly with the notion of a modern territorial nation-state.
