Offers a groundbreaking perspective on the future of urban studies
Urbanism in the Digital Age provides an essential, paradigm-shifting framework for understanding contemporary urban life. Author Mark Gottdiener redefines the study of urbanism by shifting the focus from traditional city-centered models to the Multi-Centered Metropolitan Region (MCMR), a revolutionary approach that integrates regional dynamics, digital media, and socioeconomic structures. This book challenges long-standing theories, critiques dominant neoliberal policies, and provides innovative solutions to critical contemporary issues.
Through an interdisciplinary synthesis of Lefebvrian and Castellsian perspectives, Gottdiener dissects the limitations of classical Marxist and city-centric urban theories while presenting new methodologies for analyzing spatial and social problems. Exploring the interplay between digital media, economic forces, and regional development, 14 in-depth chapters incorporate historical analysis, census data, and case studies to illustrate real-world applications.
Presenting a bold new vision for addressing spatial inequalities, rethinking governance, and fostering sustainable urban transformation, Urbanism in the Digital Age:
- Critiques traditional city-centered urban studies and offers a unique and new perspective based on a regional, digital-age approach.
- Analyzes the impacts of digital media and neoliberal governance on spatial and social inequalities
- Examines pressing urban crises, such as affordable housing, transportation, racial segregation, climate change, homelessness, and the crisis effects of draconian Neoliberal policies.
- Proposes innovative policy solutions for urban planning, sustainability, and regional development
- Investigates the role of architecture, urban planning and thematic environments in shaping urban experiences and fighting climate change.
Urbanism in the Digital Age is an indispensable resource for students and scholars in urban studies, sociology, geography, political science, architecture, and urban planning. It is an ideal textbook for undergraduate and graduate courses on urbanism, social problems, and public policy, and a must-read for policymakers and professionals engaged in urban development and regional planning.
"Urbanism in the Digital Age is a sharp, timely intervention in urban studies, refusing comfortable myths of city-centered analyses and confronting realities of our sprawling, deeply unequal metro regions. Gottdiener's critical MCMR framework offers a powerful lens for understanding how digital technologies, entrenched racial/class inequalities, and neoliberal governance shape everyday lives and futures of global millions. An essential book for all who care about our urban futures and those committed to building much more just, democratic, and inclusive urban regions."
-JOE FEAGIN, University Distinguished Professor, Texas A&M University
Rethinking Urbanism: A Revolutionary Approach to Urban Studies
The traditional city-centered approach to urbanism no longer reflects the realities of contemporary life-a new approach is needed to understand cities, regions, and digital influence. In Urbanism in the Digital Age, Mark Gottdiener challenges outdated city-centric models, introducing the Multi-Centered Metropolitan Region (MCMR) as a revolutionary framework for analyzing urbanization. By integrating spatial theory with digital media's impact on society, this volume provides a fresh perspective on the forces shaping our built environment.
Addressing a broad range of topics, from the housing crisis and racial segregation to transportation failures and neoliberal governance, Gottdiener critically examines the challenges facing urban regions today while exposing the limitations of neoliberal governance, outdated urban theories, and dominant economic structures. Using historical analysis, census data, and compelling case studies, he offers new insights into urban planning, architecture, and public policy and provides real-world solutions for some of the most pressing social and spatial issues of our time.
Urbanism in the Digital Age is designed for students, scholars, and professionals in urban studies, sociology, geography, political science, architecture, and urban planning. Whether used in undergraduate or graduate courses on urbanism and public policy or as a resource for policymakers and researchers, this book is essential for understanding the cities and regions of the future.
