Here, there and everywhere: Rethinking the urban of urban politics

Professor Allan Cochrane (Open University) will present this lecture hosted by the South African Research Chair in Spatial Analysis and City Planning.

Traditionally there has been little debate about the “urban” of urban politics while it is assumed that it is simply the politics that takes place within urban areas. But what if defining those urban areas is itself more uncertain?

In this lecture, Professor Allan Cochrane (Open University) will reflect on a range of different attempts to respond to the changing realities of urban existence, looking for a way of acknowledging the many spaces of urban politics. The challenge is to move beyond the narrow confines of pre-determined territorial geographies while recognising the continued significance of urban place.

Holding these two aspects of the urban together makes it possible to explore and understand both the nature of existing urban politics and the possibilities incorporated within them.

This event is organised by the South African Research Chair in Spatial Analysis and City Planning. Cochrane is Emeritus Professor of Urban Studies at the Open University, and held a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship between 2014 and 2016. His work is focused on cities and regions, their politics and policies.

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