ABSTRACT

The Metaphysical City examines the metaphorical existence of the city as an entity to further understand its significance on urban planning and geography. It encourages an open-minded approach when studying cities so as to uncover broader connecting themes that may otherwise be missed.

Case studies of New York, Paris, Cairo, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Los Angeles explore a metaphor specific to each city. This multidisciplinary analysis uses philosophical treatises, geographical analysis, and comparative literature to uncover how each city corresponds to the metaphor. As such, it allows the reader to understand the city from six differing points of view.

This book would be beneficial to students and academics of urban planning, geography, and comparative literature, in particular those with an interest in a metaphysical examination of cities.

chapter |9 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|27 pages

The city as creature

New York

chapter 2|27 pages

The city as human

Paris

chapter 3|21 pages

The city as prison cell

Cairo

chapter 4|21 pages

The city as thing

Mumbai

chapter 5|23 pages

The city as home

Tokyo

chapter 6|22 pages

The city as spectacle

Los Angeles

chapter |6 pages

Conclusion