Cultures of Urban Systems and Spaces: International Perspectives

This research cluster is devoted to investigating the interactions between urban values, urban systems and spaces, and inhabitants of the city by focusing on the cultural dimensions of urban planning, urban systems, and the experiences of urban life. This cluster will meet monthly to discuss a common theme: Identity and Environment in the Modern City. This theme is both narrow enough to encourage a more focused set of readings but broad enough to be welcoming to new participants. Another goal is to bring new participants including scholars from geography and anthropology who have recently expressed interest in joining this cluster. Finally, this research cluster plans to host a half-day conference on our theme in the spring semester of 2008. This conference will be open to the public, and would include two panel discussions on specific topics as well as a keynote speaker.