Analyzing Cities and Change in a Global Age : Two Conflicting Perspectives
In this paper, I identify and contrast two opposing theoretical and policy approaches to contemporary cities and urban change. The first, the economic and prosperity model and privileges economic productivity and competitiveness, cosmopolitan urbanity, cultural consumption, governance through private-public -corporate collaboration, creativity and innovation as growth-drivers. By contrast, the rights, justice and emancipation model favours the informal economy, everyday urban practices, public infrastructures and spaces, citizenship rights, social equity and redistribution, social justice and democratic hope. In common, both approaches are centrally concerned with diversity and tolerance. While the former treats diversity as a ‘lure’ with which to attract tourists, investors and ‘creative people’, the latter values urban difference in its own right as the portal to a livable and just city. Building on Iveson and Fincher’s three “social logics” for planning in pursuit of rights to the city. I conclude by assessing the prospects for reconciling the two approaches to urban futures and urban change.