This paper describes a broad comparative perspective on urban housing in cities before the modern era, including the newly-defined category of low density city. My objective is to promote comparative analysis of premodern urban housing forms. I present a typology of house types that is based on the concepts of dwelling and household. The types are: individual house; house group; contiguous houses; walled compound; and apartment building. Among the many factors that influenced the forms and nature of premodern urban housing, I single out three causal forces: cultural tradition, density, and political dynamics.

Keywords: Housing; Premodern cities; comparative analysis; typology.