Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is metrocentricity in urban studies?
What is metrocentricity in urban studies?
Metrocentricity in urban studies refers to the tendency to focus on specific urban processes, specific cities, and specific parts of the world, with iconic cities of the North as the universal form.
How is the perspective in urban studies formed by London Metrocentricity?
How is the perspective in urban studies formed by London Metrocentricity?
The perspective in urban studies is formed by London Metrocentricity, reducing the experience of the majority of cities in the world to 'little more than variations on a universal form'.
What is 'monist knowledge' in the context of urban studies?
What is 'monist knowledge' in the context of urban studies?
In the context of urban studies, 'monist knowledge' refers to knowledge claims that are accepted as the most plausible account, often with political, economic, social, and cultural roots, and are hard to challenge because they are 'hegemonic'.
What is the significance of the 'centre of calculation' in urban studies?
What is the significance of the 'centre of calculation' in urban studies?
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Why are some studies, like the one from Sassen mentioned in lecture 3, at risk of becoming quasi-hegemonic in understanding globalized urbanization?
Why are some studies, like the one from Sassen mentioned in lecture 3, at risk of becoming quasi-hegemonic in understanding globalized urbanization?
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Study Notes
Metrocentricity in Urban Studies
- Metrocentricity refers to the tendency to focus on large, Western cities (especially London) as the central model for understanding urbanization and urban development.
- This perspective is problematic as it ignores the diversity of urban experiences and contexts, especially in the Global South.
Formation of Perspective in Urban Studies
- The dominance of London as a model for urban studies has led to a metrocentric perspective, which influences how urbanization is understood and studied.
- This perspective is shaped by the concentration of academic institutions, research centers, and publication outlets in London, which reinforces the city's influence on urban studies.
Monist Knowledge in Urban Studies
- Monist knowledge refers to the assumption that there is a single, universal truth or model that can be applied to all urban contexts, ignoring local specificities and diversity.
- Monist knowledge can be problematic as it overlooks the complexity and uniqueness of urban experiences, leading to oversimplification and misrepresentation of urban realities.
Centre of Calculation in Urban Studies
- The 'centre of calculation' refers to the hubs of academic knowledge production, such as universities, research centers, and think tanks, which shape the dominant narratives and frameworks in urban studies.
- The centre of calculation plays a crucial role in defining what is considered 'knowledge' in urban studies, influencing what is researched, published, and disseminated.
Quasi-Hegemonic Studies in Urbanization
- Some studies, like Sassen's, may become quasi-hegemonic by dominating the field of urban studies and shaping the understanding of globalized urbanization.
- This can be problematic as it may lead to the marginalization of alternative perspectives, local knowledges, and diverse urban experiences, resulting in a limited and biased understanding of urbanization.
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Description
Explore the concept of metrocentricity and its impact on urban studies, focusing on the selection of relevant or interesting urban processes, cities, and parts of the world. Discuss the issue of ranking cities based on liveability and delve into the clichés associated with such rankings.
