Five separate strands which have gone into the making of urban studies in Wales are identified and reviewed. The need for a broad, interdisciplinary approach, derived from H.J. Dyos, is suggested. The most comprehensive existing work is that of the geographer, Harold Carter, whose massive contribution is briefly outlined and evaluated. A more historical approach, centring on the idea of urbanization, is advocated, with the aim of drawing together the disparate fields of study.