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The constitution of the city and the critique of critical urban theory

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  • Allen J. Scott

Abstract

A theoretical account of the genesis and internal spatial structure of cities is given. The essence of the urbanisation process is described in terms of the following main developmental phases: (a) the emergence of relationships based on specialisation and interdependence in society; (b) the pre-eminent role of the division of labour within these relationships and its recomposition in dense spatial nodes of human activity; and (c) the concomitant formation of the networked intra-urban spaces of the city. These phases are then contextualised within three intertwined dimensions of urban materiality, namely, an internal dimension (the internal organisation and spatial dynamics of the city), a socially ambient dimension (the relational structure of society at large) and an exogenous dimension (the geographic outside of the city). In light of this account, an evaluative review of what I designate ‘the new critical urban theory’ is carried out, with special reference to planetary urbanisation, postcolonial urban theory and comparativist methodologies. I argue that while every individual city represents a uniquely complex combination of social conjunctures, there are nonetheless definite senses in which urban phenomena are susceptible to investigation at the highest levels of theoretical generality.

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  • Allen J. Scott, 2022. "The constitution of the city and the critique of critical urban theory," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 59(6), pages 1105-1129, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:59:y:2022:i:6:p:1105-1129
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980211011028
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Luca, Davide & Terrero-Davila, Javier & Stein, Jonas & Lee, Neil, 2023. "Progressive cities: urban–rural polarisation of social values and economic development around the world," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118275, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Bin Liao, 2024. "Does New Urbanization Promote Urban Metabolic Efficiency?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-20, January.

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