The post(-)colonial Arab city. Issue 2 (3rd May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laurie, Emma; Philo, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Space & polity. Volume 24:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 282
• Publication Date: 2020-05-03
• Subjects: Arab city -- comparative urbanism -- post-colonial city -- postcolonialism; Political geography -- Periodicals; Regionalism -- Periodicals; Decentralization in government -- Periodicals; Nationalism -- Periodicals; 320.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/13562576.2020.1787135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-2576

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research from the 1980s by Ronan Paddison, Allan Findlay and colleagues on 'the post-colonial city' and 'the Arab city' is examined. Distinguishing between 'post-colonial' (as periodization) and 'postcolonial' (as critique), the paper traces how elements of the latter permeated what Paddison and colleagues claimed about the former. A sensitivity to urban 'models', histories and geographies beyond the Global North was evident, anticipating subsequent postcolonial moves to engage fully with the possibilities of multiple 'other' urban trajectories, lives, plans and capacities for change. It is also suggested that, inspired by Janet Abu-Lughod, Paddison and colleagues were working towards a postcolonial 'comparative urbanism'.