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Sociology: Planetary Urbanization
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:02
Abstract
In the last decades, urbanization has become a planetary phenomenon, leading to an intense debate about a new conceptionalization of urbanization. This theory seminar aims at giving an introduction into the actual debate on planetary urbanization, into urban theory, theoretical thinking and the work with scientific texts.
Objective
In this research seminar, we will present some of the most recent and cutting-edge research investigations into planetary urbanization and discuss some of the most exciting articles in this fascinating new field of urban research.
Content
Today, urban research is increasingly confronted with large-scale urbanization processes that unfold far beyond the realm of agglomerations, urban regions, and even mega city-regions. Urbanization has achieved a planetary reach; novel patterns of urbanization are crystallizing across diverse environments, in agricultural areas, in the space of what may appear to be wilderness, and even in the oceans. This challenges inherited conceptions of the urban as a bounded zone and a dense settlement type. The process of extended urbanization includes the formation of complex and multi-scalar relationships between centers and peripheries, the blurring and re-articulation of the urban fabric, the production of a functionalized logistical space, and the progressive operationalization of landscapes around the world. These observations suggest a radical rethinking of inherited concepts and cartographies of the urban, at all spatial scales, encompassing both built and unbuilt spaces.
Resources
Literature
The relevant texts will be distributed in the seminar. A very good overview is provided in the following edited volume: Brenner, Neil (ed.): Implosions / Explosions: Towards a Study of Planetary Urbanization. Jovis, Berlin, 2014.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 40
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar |
Sociology: Planetary Urbanization
Keine Lehrveranstaltung am 23.10. (Seminarwoche) sowie am 11. und 18.12.2020 (vor Schlussabgaben).
ONLINE-Veranstaltung mit Ausnahme vom 25.9. und 4.12.2020: Raum HIL E 71.1/71.2!
Die genauen Unterrichtszeiten von ONLINE - Veranstaltungen werden von den Dozierenden kommuniziert.
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2 h weekly |