The creation of cities allowed people to store surplus food production and minimize the transport costs for goods and services.. Cities housed fleeing people from attacks and violence with the protection of their walls. They were also cultural hearths for starting new lives.Cities were at the center of all early civilizations. People from surrounding areas came to cities to live, work, and trade. ... Cities concentrated political, religious, and social institutions that were previously spread across many smaller, separate communities, which contributed to the development of states.