Critical Urban Studies
Kritische Stadtforschung
6 CPirregularlyEN
Contents
• Foundational theories of critical urban studies • Investigation of empirical case-studies • Methodologies
Learning outcomes
In this Masters seminar, students are introduced to the interdisciplinary field of critical urban studies – a distinct strand within urban studies which foregrounds questions of power relations and social injustice in the research and planning of cities. Originally coming out of post-Marxist theory and urban political economy, critical urban studies has expanded to focus on hegemonic urban development policies, infrastructural networks of urban centers, emancipatory forms of urbanism, and the dialectical relationship between capitalism, the environment, and social transformations. Students will gain an introduction to foundational theories and case-studies in this field, familiarising themselves with key authors and theories of the 20th and 21st century. Moreover, through an investigation of specific empirical examples, students will understand how such a theoretical perspective shapes ongoing urban research and planning practices. The course will strengthen students' reading and writing skills, helping them to further improve their understanding of argumentation, evidence, and the practice of theory-building and its application.
Assessment
Written paper (max. 3.000 words)
Literature (1)
- Brenner, Neil; Marcuse, Peter; Mayer, Margit. 2012. Cities for People, Not for Profit: Critical Urban Theory and the Right to the City. London, New York. Routledge. Jayne, Mark; Ward, Kevin. 2017. Urban Theory: New Critical Perspectives. London, New York. Routledge. Lefebvre, Henri. 1996. Writings on Cities. Edited by Eleonore Kofman and Elizabeth Lebas. 1st edition. Cambridge, Mass, USA: Wiley-Blackwell. Merrifield, Andrew. 2002. Metromarxism: A Marxist Tale of the City. New York: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Harvey, David. 2012. Rebel Cities: From the Right to the City to the Urban Revolution 1st. n.d. Smith, Neil. 2010. Uneven Development: Nature, Capital, And The Production Of Space. 3rd ed. London New York: Verso Books. Further literature will be provided during the seminar.
Remarks
Just in case that the module can't be taught as described, all relevant information will be communicated via the existing communication platforms (Homepage, Moodle).
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 29 Sep 2026Original