Urban Spaces

Urban Spaces is an interdisciplinary reader focusing on community-based versus corporate-based political and ideological struggles over the utilization of urban land and spaces.

The control and utilization of urban spaces remains a highly contested issue. Much of the debate centers on issues of economic development versus the maintenance and support of already existing communities. As a number of urban areas are in the throes of gentrification and economic development projects, there is a dearth of information on not only the use of private power in this process, but also the response of the community members. This anthology responds to a growing concern about urban and community development, and the role of corporate power. These essays focus on key themes of land ownership and management, community resistance against corporate agendas, and public discourse over these issues. These themes are presented and developed within an interdisciplinary framework which includes information and commentary about history, contemporary politics, economic development, and ideology. Most of the chapters include case studies that provide concrete examples of contemporary developments in urban areas, and each chapter includes discussion questions and a list of key words and terms to help guide the reader.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Determining the Public Good and Evaluating Local Economic Development: Critique of the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo v. New London Decision
Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Pretexts, Paranoia, and Public Space: Rethinking the Right to the City After 9/11
Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Changing Neighborhood: Mobilization and Community Planning in Asian Ethnic Enclaves
Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Playing Cape Town: Politics of Stadium Development for The 2010 World Cup
Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Black Community Responses to Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew: Continuing Struggles for Land and Social Justice
Chapter 7 Chapter 6. Revisiting the Roxbury Master Plan in Boston: Key Accomplishments for Equity Planning
Chapter 8 Chapter 7. The Procedural Fix in California and its Implications for an Equitable Planning Theory
Chapter 9 Chapter 8. Contesting Community Development: Promoters and Critics