Final answer:
During 600-1450 CE, urban areas declined due to the fall of empires, sociopolitical unrest, and crises such as famine and plague, leading to decreased urban populations and economic hardship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of the decline of urban areas during the period 600 CE to 1450 CE can primarily be found in the fall of dominant empires and in periods of strife and sociopolitical instability. The collapse of the Roman Empire led to a reduction in urban populations as commerce and road maintenance dwindled, and Europeans reverted to a more rural existence, evident in Rome's population decrease from hundreds of thousands to around 30,000 by the end of the 6th century. Similarly, the once-thriving Classical Maya civilization experienced a sharp decline around the ninth century CE, leading to depopulated cities due to various contributing factors like conflicts and environmental challenges. Additionally, the fourteenth century brought a series of crises to Europe, including famine and the bubonic plague, leading to economic hardships and demographic changes that affected urban populations adversely.