Urbanization and Urban Planning in capitalist society / edited by Michael Dear and Allen J. Scott

This book an attempt define general theory urbanization and planning. seeks achieve this goal bringing together and synthesizing wide range critical perspectives the urban question. particular, the book attempts to capture and give form much the new urban theory (and its cognate analytical procedures) that currently emerging in North America and Western Europe. This a theory that generally insists upon the explicit derivation of contemporary urbanization processes out of the structure the capitalist mode of production.

The book unfolds a series six logical stages. First, the argument opens with broad introductory statement which outlines the main qualities and properties of critical analysis of urban phenomena capitalism. Second, the argument proceeds to examine the conceptual preliminaries necessary for the establishment of theory of urbanization and planning as rooted in capitalist social structures. Third, theoretical exposition is undertaken of the fundamental logic of urbanization and urban planning. Fourth, there follows detailed discussion of commodity production cities and of its effects on urban development. Fifth, series of analyses is presented of the subtle and controversial problems of reproduction and social life in capitalist cities. Sixth, by way a broad conclusion, synthesis is made of some of the important political relationships linking urbaniza tion, social class, and the capitalist State.

The text as whole joint effort, and each the chapters that follows was written by different author or authors. In spite the book was conceived from the outset as whole, that basic outline was defined, and authors were subsequently commissioned write specific chapters. We have largely kept to this plan, except for the inclusion of two previously published papers which are essential to the development of our argument. In spite of its preconceived structure, the book does not offer any collectively agreed-upon viewpoint. Whilst all the authors share perspective somewhere to the 'left' of mainstream urban analysis, the arguments found in the various chapters are often at odds one another. Wherever possible, we have preserved this conceptual tension.