Charting Literary Urban Studies: Texts as Models of and for the City

Charting Literary Urban Studies: Texts as Models of and for the City explores how literary texts represent urban complexities, simulate layers of urban memory, and play a role in interdisciplinary urban research. It also advances a literary studies contribution to the general theory of models, tracing a heuristic trajectory from the analysis of literary texts as representations of urban developments to an analysis of literary strategies in planning documents and other pragmatic, non-literary texts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Guided by the intricate interplay between city and text, Charting Literary Urban Studies: Texts as Models of and for the City endeavors to delineate the burgeoning domain of literary urban studies by elucidating how texts, exhibiting varying degrees of functionality, serve as both representations of the city and as blueprints for its future development. The study addresses critical inquiries such as: How do literary texts capture the intricacies of urban landscapes and evoke the distinct character of a particular city? How do literary texts simulate the layers of urban memory and contribute to either reinforcing or dissolving the patterns of urban development? What role can literary studies play in interdisciplinary urban research? Are the so-called "blueprints" or "recipes" for urban development, such as the creative city, the green city, or the smart city, inherently the most effective solutions to a given problem? Or is the global proliferation of such traveling urban models primarily driven by their narrative packaging? By addressing these pivotal questions, this book also makes a significant contribution to the broader theory of models, tracing a heuristic trajectory from the analysis of literary texts as representations of urban developments to the examination of literary strategies in planning documents and other pragmatic, non-literary texts.

Introduction:
The relationship between cities and texts has been a subject of fascination for centuries, as cities have served as both physical and symbolic representations of human civilization. In recent years, the field of literary urban studies has emerged as a crucial lens through which to explore the complex dynamics between cities and their literary representations. This study aims to chart the burgeoning field of literary urban studies by examining how texts in varying degrees function as both representations of the city and as blueprints for its future development.
Representations of the City:
Literary texts play a vital role in representing the multifaceted nature of urban landscapes. They can capture the intricacies of urban life, the struggles of its inhabitants, and the cultural and social dynamics that shape cities. Through their narratives, characters, and settings, literary texts can provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the city's past, present, and potential future. For example, novels and short stories can depict the social and economic inequalities that exist in cities, the impact of urbanization on traditional communities, and the ways in which cities can be sites of resistance and transformation.
Blueprints for Urban Development:
While literary texts primarily serve as representations of the city, they can also be used as blueprints for its future development. By drawing on the insights and experiences of characters and communities within literary texts, policymakers and urban planners can develop strategies and policies that promote sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban growth. For instance, literary texts can provide inspiration for urban regeneration projects, such as the redevelopment of abandoned urban spaces or the creation of public parks and green spaces.
Interdisciplinary Urban Research:
The study of literary urban studies is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from various fields such as urban planning, geography, sociology, and cultural studies. By integrating these diverse perspectives, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between cities and their literary representations. For example, literary studies can contribute to the analysis of planning documents and other pragmatic texts by examining the ways in which they represent and reproduce urban hierarchies and power relations.
Travelling Urban Models:
The global spread of urban models, such as the creative city, the green city, or the smart city, has raised questions about their effectiveness and sustainability. While these models may offer promising solutions to urban challenges, they may also be limited by their generic nature and their inability to adapt to the unique characteristics of individual cities. This study explores the role of narrative packaging in the global spread of urban models, examining how they are marketed and promoted to policymakers and urban planners around the world.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Charting Literary Urban Studies: Texts as Models of and for the City provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the complex relationship between cities and their literary representations. By examining how texts function as both representations of the city and as blueprints for its future development, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in literary urban studies. It also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of this field and its potential to inform policy and practice in urban planning and development. As cities continue to evolve and adapt to the changing demands of our globalized world, the study of literary urban studies will remain an important tool for understanding the complex dynamics between cities and their literary representations.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367628369