ABSTRACT

This book provides an up-to-date introduction to the important and growing field of urban anthropology. This is an increasingly critical area of study, as more than half of the world's population now lives in cities and anthropological research is increasingly done in an urban context. Exploring contemporary anthropological approaches to the urban, the authors consider:

  • How can we define urban anthropology?
  • What are the main themes of twenty-first century urban anthropological research?
  • What are the possible future directions in the field?

The chapters cover topics such as urban mobilities, place-making and public space, production and consumption, politics and governance. These are illustrated by lively case studies drawn from a diverse range of urban settings in the global North and South. Accessible yet theoretically incisive, Introducing Urban Anthropology will be a valuable resource for anthropology students as well as of interest to those working in urban studies and related disciplines such as sociology and geography.

chapter 1|19 pages

Introduction

part I|48 pages

At home in the city?

chapter 2|18 pages

Urban places

chapter 3|14 pages

Urban mobilities

chapter 4|14 pages

Social life in public space

part II|47 pages

Crafting urban lives and lifestyles

chapter 5|16 pages

Urban economies

chapter 6|14 pages

Consumption, leisure and lifestyles

chapter 7|15 pages

Cities and globalization

part III|51 pages

Politics in and of the city

chapter 8|18 pages

Planning the city

chapter 9|14 pages

Cities, citizenship and politics

chapter 10|14 pages

Violence, security and social control

chapter 11|3 pages

Conclusion

The future of urban anthropology