Teju Cole's debut novel, Open City, describes Julius's peripatetic travels in New York City, as well as abroad, reflecting the connotations in his past . Cole uses his main character's compelling narrative to explore urbanization and urbanism (2011). To distinguish, urbanization refers to population growth within urban areas and how societies adapt from rural to urban areas, as opposed to urbanism which defines the characteristics of social interactions within these areas (Pugh, 1966). First, the importance of narrative is emphasized through its introduction in the novel: "And so" Julius begins his journey of thought, "I began taking evening walks last fall," continuing by saying that [he] "has found Morningside Heights an easy place" As previously mentioned, he often visited his old professor, who was Japanese-American. He attended a dinner hosted by Dr. Gupta, who was from Uganda, and also met the Nigerian soldiers. He also sees an Asian woman in a bar being taught English. Julius himself is originally from Nigeria, with German roots on his mother's side. The variety of cultures within Open City reflects the book's title itself: urbanization, regardless of population growth within a city, pushes a city to “become open” to different people from different cultures. For this reason Cole set his novel in New York City, which has become synonymous with a variety of cultures. People from different cultures within the urban context not only represent urbanization, due to their growth in popularity, but also urbanization, due to the new social approaches that exist as a result of their presence (2011). In conclusion, Open Cities portrays Julius' travels to New York City and reflects on his past. Through his narrative and the position of the flâneur he becomes, it is possible to explore the urbanization and urbanism of modern cities, such as New York. Analyzing Julius's account, it became evident that it was not only the different spaces he visited, but also the different people he met, that played an important role in understanding the city's spaces and their constant