Reviews    Introduction & Contents

 

Reviews

Possible Urban Worlds: Building new identities

Possible Urban Worlds: Pre-figuring Seattle? (pdf, 83KB)

Contested Metropolis: An Overview (pdf, 88KB)

Contested Metropolis: Six Cities in Search of an Audience (pdf, 72KB)

Contested Metropolis: Zapruder (in italian, pdf, 76KB)

 

Introduction to Possible Urban Worlds

by Richard Wolff

Global restructuring confronts cities of today with innumerable challenges. At the same time, people in all sorts of places are probing new concepts of local action, implementing urban projects and developing new ideas for a sustainable and just urban development. Activism occurs in areas as diverse as urban ecology, social exclusion, local economics and community development, public space, urban culture and participatory planning. All of these activities explore "possible urban worlds" and open horizons for the renewal of the most important urban qualities: the creation of places which offer the possibility of mutual encounters and where the most diverse experiences and social projects can flourish.

This reader explores some of the possible urban worlds at the end of the 20th century in order to discern possible common strategies among communities in different cities. Oscillating between concrete urban experiences and theoretical considerations, it assembles contributions by distinguished, well-known academics and some of today's most innovative urban movement groups and projects. We are convinced that these experiences - in addition to their local and historical relevance - open pathways towards a solidary, democratic and sustainable urban life.

The book is the result of the 7th INURA conference held in Zürich in the summer of 1997. It continues a debate which has been going on for years among people of diverse social and professional backgrounds who have come together in the International Network for Urban Research and Action (INURA) by fortuitous encounters or as a result of deliberate search. This network has developed a deep mutual understanding among its members, always attempting to link theoretical and practical knowledge in a common act of learning.

We have put utmost attention to a clear and easily understandable language. As many contributions stem from non-English speakers, you may discover some curious and foreign expressions which English speakers will hopefully accept as a tribute and an enrichment to a language, which is just as global as the process of urbanisation.

Contents

1 INURA - Theory and Action

The International Network for Urban Research and Action (INURA)
Message to INURA
                Bob Colenutt
Research and Action: The INURA Agenda
                Roger Keil
On the Waves of Urban Development?
                Arie van Wijngaarden
The University and the City
                Giancarlo Paba, Raffaele Paloscia
INURA Zurich - Urban Public Space in a Small Global City
                Andreas Hofer

2 Local Economy, solidarity and environmental Justice

2.1 Local Economy, Solidarity and Environmental Justice
                Andreas Schneider
2.2 Globalization and the Body
                David Harvey
2.3 Exodus - Movement of JAH People
                Exodus Collective
2.4 Making a Difference - Making Green Work
                Roger Keil
2.5 KraftWerk1: An Approach to a Civilisation Beyond Work
                p.m.
3 Building Local Places in a Global World

3.1 Building Local Places in a Global World
                Philipp Klaus
3.2 The Changing Scope of Action in Urban Politics: New Opportunities for Local
       Initiatives and Movements
                Margit Mayer
3.3 Gilde van Werkgebouwen, Amsterdam
                Peti Buchel, Carolien Feldbrugge, Bert Hogervorst, Annie Wright
3.4 Islands in a Coded Urban Space - Wagenburgen in Berlin
                Renate Berg
3.5 Cities of the World Market Need Places Like Zentralstrasse 150
                Philipp Klaus
3.6 Women Plan Toronto: Grassroots Participation in Re-Shaping th City
                Barbara Loevinger Rahder
3.7 Hammersmith Community Trust: Developing Local Strategies in
      Multi-Ethnic Britain
                Louanne Tranchell

4 Reclaiming History for Urban Action

4.1 Reclaiming History for Urban Action
                Andreas Hofer
4.2 Territorial Heritage: A Genetic Code for Sustainable Development
                Alberto Magnaghi
4.3 The 'Pure Genius' Land Occupation: Reimaginging the Inhuman City
                Dave Featherstone
4.4 Participated Projects on the Outskirts of Florence
                Anna Lisa Peccoriello, Iacopo Zetti
4.5 The Small Historic Town as Planning Model for Todys
                Giancarlo Paba
4.6 The Town Plan of Villasanta: A Case of Community Planning
                Monica Vercesi

5 The Politics of Urbanisation

5.1 The Politics of Urbanisation
                Christian Schmid
5.2 Globalisation; Urban Development, and Policies for the Urban Poor
                Bernd Hamm
5.3 The La Habana / Ecopolis Project: Urban Regeneration and Community
       Development
                Raffaele Paloscia
5.4 The Development of Housing Policy in Mexico in Recent Decades
                Beatriz Garcìa Peralta, Vìctor Imas Ruìz, Sara Garcìa Jiménez
5.5 Urban Politics in the 1990s: Notes on Toronto
                Stefan Kipfer
5.6 The Monkey's Tail: the Amsterdam Digital City Three and a Half Years Later
                Patrice Riemens

6 The City as a Contested Terrain

6.1 The City as a Contested Terrain
                Christian Schmid
6.2 The City: Strategic Site/New Frontier
                Saskia Sassen
6.3 Is There Still Room for Public Space? Globalizing Cities and the Privatization
      of the Public Realm
                Ute Angelika Lehrer
6.4 Inner!City!Action! - Crowd Control, Interdictory Spce and teh Fight for
      Socio-Spatial Justice
                Britta Grell, Jens Sambale, Dominik Veith
6.5 The Dialectics of Urbanization in Zurich: Global City Formation and Urban
      Social Movements
                Christian Schmid
6.6 A Star is Born - Rote Fabrik Cultural Centre
                Richard Wolff
6.7 Urban Movements in Italy: The Struggle for Sociality and Communication
                Marvi Maggio
6.8 Liberated Spaces: Possibilities for Liberating Everyday Life
                Alessandra Romano
6.9 Welcome to Medellìn - The Capital of the 21st Century
                Angela Stinen

7 Horizons of Possible Urban Worlds

                Panel Discussion