Explanation in urban studies: ‘comparative tactics’ and the business models of developers as inputs to a more globally inclusive urban theory

Studies of the urban and the activities that are pursued there have a long and variegated history.

One observation stands out, however, and that is the enduring fascination with iconic cities, from Paris via London and Chicago to Los Angeles. This one-sidedness has been criticised not least by scholars setting out from postcolonial theory.

As there is a need to make visible the everyday experiences of inhabitants in the global South, the nature and role of ‘ordinary cities’ have come to the fore.

However, as this salutary change of focus has been accomplished with a measure of success -- implying a partial shift of emphasis away from the global North – the experiences of the former socialist societies of the global East remain ‘off the map’.

Therefore, the objective here is to finalise two projects that set out to understand the use of urban theory in and on the global East, how this compares to the experiences of market economies of a long standing (be they rich or poor) and why the substantial volume of research on the urban in that part of the world has had but negligible impact on urban studies in general.

Employing the ‘comparative tactic for a more global urban studies’ developed by Jennifer Robinson (University College London), this research sets out to understand the mundane but often very powerful consequences of the business models of corporate urban developers, experiences that potentially transcend geography and position in national and global urban hierarchies.