Urban Theory Beyond the West: A World of Cities

by Edensor; Tim

• ISBN13: 9780415589758
• ISBN10: 0415589754
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-12-14
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Since the late eighteenth century academic engagement with political, economic, social, cultural, and spatial changes in our cities has been dominated by theoretical frameworks crafted with reference to just a small number of cities in the #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;global North#xE2;#xAC;". This volume seeks to redress that balance and focuses on theoretical engagements with cities beyond #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;the West#xE2;#xAC;". The first part presents chapters that offer examples of how urban theory can be de-centred from dominant western traditional concepts and topics of study. Part two reflects on urban political economy and discusses theoretical engagement with political and economic decision making in both general terms and/or with a focus on particular cities. The third part of the book elaborates on this focus and looks in more detail at conceptualising urban political ecologies. There is a focus on the relationship between political, economic, and social factors and #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;the environment#xE2;#xAC;" and nature. The fourth part of the book addresses conceptualizations of planning, form, and function and asks questions about the fabric, look and development of cities in the #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;majority world#xE2;#xAC;". The fifth part considers theoretical engagement with urban cultures and everyday life and focuses on production and consumption cultures as well as vernacular cultural forms and practices, identities, lifestyles and forms of sociability.