What major advances was needed before cities could emerge in early civilizations

Well first of all we had to learn how to farm (agriculture) to sustain ourselves in one area (instead of going around hunting and gathering, which made us move a lot once we exhausted the resources there), secondly, we had to domesticate animals in order to do the farm work, well mostly to make our lives easier. And thirdly I would say design some sort of housing that would last all-year round if u plan on staying in that area