How to Be Urban Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 26, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of suburbanization in the 1950s had a major effect on urban centers. The growth of automobile ownership and the development of new highway systems made it easier for people to move away from cities and into more affordable suburban areas. This led to a rapid decline in population in many urban centers, which caused a decrease in demand for goods and services, leading to a decrease in businesses operating in those areas. This, in turn, resulted in a lack of investment in the cities, which created a cycle of poverty and disinvestment that is still seen today.

Steps How to Become

Acquire a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming an urban historian is to acquire a Bachelors degree in history, anthropology, sociology, political science, geography or other related field.
Consider Graduate School. After obtaining a Bachelors degree, some urban historians may wish to pursue a higher level of education by enrolling in a Masters or Doctoral program in urban history.
Participate in an Internship. Participating in an internship in an urban setting can offer invaluable experience and familiarity with the subject matter.
Research and Write. Becoming an urban historian requires a vast amount of research and writing. Aspiring urban historians should be prepared to spend a significant amount of time researching and writing papers and manuscripts.
Publish Your Work. Publishing your work is an important step in becoming an urban historian. This can be done by submitting articles to journals, magazines, or newspapers, or by self-publishing books or ebooks.
Network. An important step in becoming an urban historian is to network with other academics and professionals in the field. This can be done by attending conferences and seminars, joining professional organizations, and maintaining an online presence through social media and blogging.

In order to stay updated and efficient, it is important to stay organized and proactive. Keeping an up-to-date calendar and setting reminders can help to ensure deadlines are met and tasks are completed in a timely manner. it is important to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the field by reading relevant news, attending conferences and seminars, and participating in professional networks.

Staying engaged with the professional community can help to foster creativity and encourage innovation. Finally, taking the necessary time to rest and recharge can help to keep energy levels high and reduce stress, allowing for more effective time management and productivity.

You may want to check Historical Documentation Specialist, Religious Historian, and Visual Historian for alternative.

Job Description

Research Historian: Conducts research on urban history topics, including regional, national, and global history. Analyzes and interprets historical documents and artifacts to create scholarly works.
Exhibit Designer: Designs and develops interactive exhibits for museums and other public spaces that explore the history of urban areas.
Lecturer/Educator: Delivers lectures and educational programs about urban history to students and the general public.
Conservator: Conserves artifacts, documents, and other materials related to urban history for display in museums and other public spaces.
Archivist: Collects, organizes, preserves, and makes available historical materials related to urban history.
Preservationist: Works with local, state, and federal agencies to preserve and protect historic sites, buildings, monuments, and other objects related to urban history.
Documentary Filmmaker: Creates documentaries about urban history topics for public broadcast or educational purposes.
Tour Guide: Guides visitors on tours of cities and urban areas, providing historical context and information about the areas culture, architecture, and people.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of urban history
Understanding of urban development
Familiarity with local and regional government
Ability to communicate effectively
Research and analytical skills
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations
Computer literacy
Interpersonal and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of urban design and architecture
Knowledge of population trends and demographics
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Familiarity with cultural diversity and global issues

Urban historians must have the important ability to analyze and interpret the impact of past events and trends on the present. This skill is essential for understanding how urban life has been shaped by forces such as migration, industrialization, war, government policy, and social movements. To effectively practice urban history, it is important to have a deep understanding of both the physical and cultural geography of a city or region.

Historians should be able to use quantitative and qualitative methods to study the impact of these forces, as well as the relationship between them. the ability to synthesize different sources and draw meaningful conclusions from them is essential for writing accurate and balanced accounts of urban history. By combining all of these skills, urban historians are able to provide valuable insights into how cities have grown and changed over time.

Technological Historian, Documentary Historian, and Political Historian are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired your interest in urban history?
How would you define the main themes and periods of urban history?
What is the importance of understanding the urban environment today?
What is the role of technology in urban growth and development?
How have changes in infrastructure impacted cities over time?
What impact have urban planning and design had on the modern city?
What are the most significant challenges facing cities today?
How has migration affected the formation of cities in different parts of the world?
How has gentrification impacted cities and communities?
What strategies can be employed to promote sustainable urban development?

Common Tools in Industry

GIS Software. GIS software is used to map, analyze, and visualize geographic data. (eg: ArcGIS, QGIS)
Text Analysis Software. Text analysis software is used to analyze large amounts of text and extract useful insights. (eg: NVivo, Leximancer)
Database Management Software. Database management software is used to create and manage databases. (eg: MySQL, Oracle)
Statistical Analysis Software. Statistical analysis software is used to analyze and interpret data. (eg: SPSS, SAS)
Visualization Software. Visualization software is used to create charts and graphs to help visualize data. (eg: Tableau, Power BI)
Presentation Software. Presentation software is used to create presentations and visualizations. (eg: PowerPoint, Prezi)
Document Management Software. Document management software is used to organize and store documents. (eg: Adobe Acrobat, Google Drive)
Mapping Software. Mapping software is used to create interactive maps and graphs. (eg: Google Maps, OpenStreetMap)
Research Tools. Research tools are used to find and analyze data for research projects. (eg: Google Scholar, LexisNexis)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association for State and Local History
American Historical Association
International Planning History Society
Society of Architectural Historians
Society for American City and Regional Planning History
Urban History Association
Urban History Group
Urban Land Institute
Association of European Schools of Planning
Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning

We also have Digital Historian, Archaeological Historian, and Music Historian jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Demography. The study of the size, structure, and distribution of populations.
Gentrification. The process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste.
Urbanism. The study of how people interact with their urban environment.
Land Use Planning. The process of deciding how to use land in an efficient and sustainable way.
Spatial Analysis. The examination of the spatial relationships between different elements of a city.
Urban Design. The process of designing and constructing the physical form of a city.
Urban Morphology. The study of the form and structure of cities.
Urban Sociology. The study of how people interact in an urban setting.
Ethnography. The study of a particular culture or group of people.
Cultural Geography. The study of the geography of human cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Urban Historian? A1: An Urban Historian is a person who studies the history of urban development and the changes that cities undergo over time. Q2: What kind of information do Urban Historians study? A2: Urban Historians typically study a range of topics, including population growth, urban planning, economic development, the impact of transportation and infrastructure, the history of poverty and inequality, and the cultural and social history of cities. Q3: How long has Urban History been studied? A3: Urban History has been studied since the early 19th century, when scholars first began to analyze the development of cities and their impact on society. Q4: What kind of evidence do Urban Historians use? A4: Urban Historians rely on a variety of sources, including census data, maps, newspaper articles, municipal records, and photographs. Q5: What are some of the most important works in Urban History? A5: Some of the most important works in Urban History include Jane Jacobs' The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), Mike Davis' City of Quartz (1990), and Kenneth Jackson's Crabgrass Frontier (1985).