Abstract
If we now live with a planetary urban process (Brenner & Schmid, 2015a), the very idea of “future cities” must be brought into question. Indeed, we might ask whether urban planning has morphed into planetary planning, with its primary charge being the construction of vast networks of urban systems coordinating a global capitalist process. This commentary cautions against such over-extended theories of urbanization and related planning practices. Although global capitalism has engendered profound spatial changes, the concept of the city remains a crucial social and political idea. By outlining the continued centrality of the city to social and political life, the commentary argues for a democratic evaluation of the urban form in order to plan for, and realize, more just cities.
Highlights
If we live with a planetary urban process (Brenner & Schmid, 2015a), the very idea of “future cities” must be brought into question
The extent to which Brenner and Schmid’s (2015a) new urban epistemology transforms our thinking about cities and urbanization depends on which version of their theory you wish to engage with
It would mean that urban planning for defined urban spaces becomes a very limited activity—if not completely irrelevant—since the constitutive properties and processes of “city” space extend far beyond any identifiable boundaries. This line of argument remains important in the context of an ongoing social and politico-economic transformation of the city, the over-extension of idea of planetary urbanization brings with it significant dangers
Summary
The extent to which Brenner and Schmid’s (2015a) new urban epistemology transforms our thinking about cities and urbanization depends on which version of their theory you wish to engage with. If we take the stronger version of Brenner and Schmid’s (2015a) argument and apply it to questions of urban planning, its implications are extensive It would mean, for example, that urban planning would certainly supersede any remaining notions of city planning. It would mean that urban planning for defined urban spaces (i.e. the city) becomes a very limited activity—if not completely irrelevant—since the constitutive properties and processes of “city” space extend far beyond any identifiable boundaries This line of argument remains important in the context of an ongoing social and politico-economic transformation of the city, the over-extension of idea of planetary urbanization brings with it significant dangers. Fundamental connection between politics and the city can get lost within attempts to conceptualize the implosions and explosions of planetary urbanization
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