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Malcolm Miles

Paradoxical Urbanism

Malcolm Miles

Paradoxical Urbanism Anti-Urban Currents in Modern Urbanism

Malcolm Miles Bradford-on-Avon, UK

ISBN 978-981-15-6340-9    ISBN 978-981-15-6341-6 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6341-6 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover Pattern © Melisa Hasan This Palgrave Pivot imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-­01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore

Introduction

I wrote this book from discontent with urban redevelopment as it currently occurs, which is in service to global capital, against the interests of social justice and political accountability. It is an obvious argument but I also wanted to remember that cities might be where human potential is most likely to be realised, in an ambience of mobility, among people of different backgrounds, which produces an enhanced sense of self and a capacity for agency. But this is precisely what most redevelopment schemes deny, constructing compounds for elites and empty investment opportunities. Each new centre turns adjoining areas into margins, and the underlying concept of the City is manipulated as a scene of waterfront vistas and steel-and-glass corporate towers. Again, this is familiar, and well covered in the critical literature of urbanism (beside critiques of the notion of a creative city as a defence of gentrification). All this represents a policy failure, and a political malaise. Meanwhile, with the hollowness of representational politics, there is a rise in non-violent direct action, which has a growing literature. My aim was not to add to that, nor to the literature of urban redevel