Why did the Mayan culture never fully develop an urban culture?

The Mayan civilization did develop urban centers, but these were often characterized by a decentralized structure rather than a fully cohesive urban culture. Factors such as geographic diversity, resource distribution, and social organization led to city-states that were politically independent, which hindered the emergence of a unified urban culture. Additionally, environmental challenges and periodic warfare contributed to the decline of some urban areas, preventing the establishment of a singular, expansive urban culture across the Maya region.