Urban Theory

Several meanings and definitions of urban theory dominate contemporary empirical research on cities and metropolitan life. One definition is broad and views urban theory as a heuristic or sensitizing device to help scholars understand the nature of urban order, change, and stability. In this meaning, urban theories are interpretive tools that address questions such as what is “urban” about urban life, how are cities organized, and how do they change over time? Another more analytical approach defines urban theory as a set of interrelated propositions that allow for the systematiza-tion of knowledge, explanation, and prediction of urban reality. In this definition, urban theories specify both causal relations between variables (including models that indicate how causal factors are interrelated) and causal mechanisms responsible for producing these relations. A third meaning of urban theory starts from a critical-normative foundation and views theory as a set of concepts and explanatory tools to examine the operation of urban power structures, identify the causes and consequences of urban inequalities, and clarify the bases of social conflict and struggle in cities. This critical urban theory is problem centered, embraces a strong social justice and equity component, and aims for urban praxis—a fusion of urban knowledge and practice. In this later meaning, urban theorizing is undergirded by a utopian impulse that attempts to illuminate the mechanisms of domination and subordination in cities, and provide a prescription for ameliorative social action and revolutionary change.

There are no timeless, static, or immutable urban theories. Just as urban theories are products of particular times and historical conditions, urban theories change as social movements, social processes, and individuals transform cities and metropolitan areas. Accordingly, urban theories are diverse, complex, and multidimensional. This entry addresses five major building blocks of urban theory: ontology, epistemology, concepts, levels of analysis, and agency–structure relationships. In conclusion the present status of urban theory is discussed.