Constructing comparisons: Reflecting on the experimental nature of new comparative tactics. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brill, Frances
• Other Names: Robinson Jennifer guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Urban studies. Volume 59:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1754
• Page End: 1759
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: comparative urbanism -- experiment -- global urbanism; 比较城市研究 -- 实验 -- 全球城市化; Cities and towns -- Periodicals; City planning -- Periodicals; 307.1216
• DOI: 10.1177/00420980221089590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-0980

Abstract

In this commentary I reflect on experimental approaches to comparative urbanism emerging in recent papers. Drawing on the methodological approaches employed in the special issue on Comparative Methods for Global Urban Studies, I highlight the way in which a more reactive and responsive approach – to both pre-existing conditions and understandings of urban development, as well as realities faced during fieldwork and analysis – have elucidated new ways of thinking with and through different cities to productively push forward the comparative urbanism agenda. In doing so I build on the long history of comparative approaches in urban studies to argue that experimenting with how we put new places into existing conversations, within a particular project or beyond, can be hugely powerful in transforming the way in which comparison is conducted in urban studies and geography.