Advanced Marginality as a comparative research strategy in praxis: the Danish “Grey Belt” in conversation with the French “Red Belt”

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urban Outcast and advanced marginality belongs to a theory culture rarely engaged in comparative urban studies. Here the potential of advanced marginality as a comparative research strategy is explored paying special attention to the concepts of epistemic reflexivity, analogical reasoning and homology. These concepts are applied as the foundation of a comparative research design comprising three necessary and interconnected analytical moments linking reflexivity, theory and empirical analysis. Empirically this strategy and design is confronted in the case of four Danish “Grey belt” housing estates. The empirical confrontation demonstrates that both strategy and design are relevant and productive. Nevertheless, there is a need to question, adapt and extent the six original properties of advanced marginality. Secondly the empirical confrontation demonstrates that both strategy and design can contribute to the current conversations on the comparative in urban studies empirically and conceptually, underscoring the curiosity of its eclipse in these conversations.