Although commercial sex work has never been a solely urban phenomenon, it has been most visible in specific areas of towns and cities, creating the phenomenon of the red-light district (e.g., De Wallen in Amsterdam, Soho in London, Pigalle in Paris, and Patpong in Bangkok). In most cases, these areas are particularly associated with female prostitution, though in some instances, they are also characterized by an agglomeration of off-street work in the form of adult-oriented businesses, sex clubs, cinemas, sex shops, and peep shows. In some cities, these areas may coincide with spaces of male prostitution and gay venues (though there is often tension between gay urban entrepreneurs and those who profit from commercial sex). In most cases, however, the term red-light district is reserved ...