Urban Theory: New Critical Perspectives provides an introduction to innovative critical contributions to the field of urban studies. Chapters offer easily accessible and digestible reviews, and as a reference text Urban Theory is a comprehensive and integrated primer which covers topics necessary for a full understanding of recent theoretical engagements with cities.
The introduction outlines the development of urban theory over the past two hundred years and discusses significant theoretical, methodological and empirical challenges facing the field of urban studies in the context of an increasing globally inter-connected world. The chapters explore twenty-four topics, which are new additions to the urban theoretical debate, highlighting their relationship to long established concerns that continue to have intellectual purchase, and which also engage with rich new and emerging avenues for debate. Each chapter considers the genealogy of the topic at hand and also includes case studies which explain key terms or provide empirical examples to guide the reader to a better understanding of how theory adds to our understanding of the complexities of urban life.
This book offers a critical and assessable introduction to original and groundbreaking urban theory and will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students in human geography, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, economics, planning, political science and urban studies.
List of case studies
List of figures
Notes on contributors
Acknowledgments
1 A twenty-first century introduction to urban theory
Mark Jayne and Kevin Ward
2 Affect
Ben Anderson
3 Architecture
Richard Baxter
4 Assemblages
Ignatio Faria
5 Bodies
Robyn Longhurst
6 Commons
Andre Pusey and Paul Chatterton
7 Community
Deborah Martin
8 Comparison
Jennifer Robinson
9 Consumption
Steve Miles
10 Encounters
Helen F. Wilson
11 Entrepreneurialism
David Wilson
12 Gentrification
Loretta Lees
13 Governance
Mark Davidson
14 Informalities
Melanie Lombard and Paula Meth
15 Learning
Colin McFarlane
16 Materialities
Alan Latham
17 Mobilities
Ola Söderström
18 Neo-liberalism
Ugo Rossi
19 Play
Quentin Stevens
20 Politics
Andy Jonas
21 Rhythm
Tim Edensor
22 Rights
Joaquin Villanueva
23 Sexuality
Jon Binnie
24 Suburban
Roger Keil
25 Sustainability
Rob Krueger
26 Afterword
Mark Jayne and Kevin Ward
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Mark Jayne is Professor of Human Geography at Cardiff University, UK.
Kevin Ward is Professor of Human Geography and Director of the Manchester Urban Institute at the University of Manchester, UK.
"A marvelous volume – comprehensive and critical, and chock-full of conceptually and theoretically sophisticated essays superbly accessible to both postgraduate and undergraduate students alike. It presents what is often difficult material in a form much easier to understand, hence making Urban Theory: New Critical Perspectives an ideal tool for teaching and learning."
David Imbroscio, Professor of Political Science and Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville, USA
"This collection of essays provides an excellent introduction to a series of key debates in urban research. The contributions draw on a diverse range of literature and contemporary examples."
Matthew Gandy, Professor of Geography, University of Cambridge, UK"Urban Theory: New Critical Perspectives is a clever, timely roadmap for the often varied terrain of contemporary urban theory. The range of topics is ambitiously eclectic, yet carefully organized and edited for coherence. This reader is a must for scholars and students of urban sociology, politics, planning and geography."
Jason Hackworth, Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Canada
"This collection of insightful essays provides students of cities with an A-Z guide to some of the key concepts popularized in contemporary Anglophone critical urban theory as it seeks to make sense of global urbanization and urban life."
Helga Leitner, Professor of Geography, Department of Geography, University of California, USA
