Urbanism evokes a wide range of dimensions that define settlements through a series of entangled variables such as population size, political and administrative function, social complexity, physical design, as well as growth and decline. These dimensions are notably shaped by regionally distinct traditions. This underscores the need for robust archaeological research at a local level to define urban traditions, trace their spatial and temporal variability, and establish their material signatures in the archaeological record. Southeast Asia boasts a diverse and deep history of urban traditions. A growing corpus of archaeological research is revealing how, across various historical periods, each region and city has followed a distinct path of development while also exhibiting a mix of unique and shared patterns of urban formation and growth. The session is designed to bring together the latest research on ancient cities, offering new insights while situating urban traditions within the broader Southeast Asian context, emphasizing both shared characteristics and regional distinctions.