Ancient urbanism in South and Southeast Asia followed trajectories that diverge significantly from the more compact, centralised models often drawn from Mediterranean and Near Eastern examples. Monumental temple complexes, dispersed low-density settlements, and extensive hydraulic landscapes demonstrate urban forms in which political, economic, and ritual functions were embedded within dynamic socioecological systems. Moreover, many of these cities often experienced multiple transitions – emergence, reconfiguration, abandonment or even relocation – driven by political conflict, religious transformations, environmental change, and shifting economies. This session examines the pathways of urban transitions in South and Southeast Asia, from initial formation through adaptation and transformation to eventual reorganisation or collapse. We welcome papers that examine urban forms, urban water management, and resilience pathways, as well as those that challenge the applicability of conventional definitions of ‘the city’ to the region.