Gated Communities and the Digital Polis: Rethinking Subjectivity, Reality, Exclusion, and Cooperation in an Urban Future

This edited collection explores the 'digital polis' - cities evolving with physically and virtually networked communities. It offers perspectives from the humanities, media studies, geography, architecture, and urban studies, focusing on counter-mapping the digital cityscape beyond policing and gatekeeping. The book addresses the formation of technosocial subjectivity, real-and-virtual combined urbanity, digital exclusion and inclusion, and the prospect of emancipatory and empowering digital citizens. Chapters cover topics such as digital feminism, data activism, networked individualism, digital commons, real-virtual communalism, post-family imagination, digital fortress cities, rights to the smart city, online foodscapes, and open-source urbanism. Contributors explore the developments in physical and virtual communities, the impact of digital technology on the city, exclusion and cooperation, and the future of the digital polis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 05 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This edited collection presents a diverse range of perspectives on the evolving relationship between cities and physically and virtually networked communities, known as the 'digital polis'. It explores the multifaceted dimensions of this emerging concept, encompassing research and practice, and aims to challenge traditional notions of policing and gatekeeping in both physical and virtual gated communities. By adopting a counter-mapping approach, the digital polis seeks to redefine the digital cityscape beyond mere surveillance and control.

The digital polis is viewed as a potential catalyst for promoting socially just and politically inclusive urban environments, reminiscent of the Greek polis. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of the development of digital technology, urban space, and social dynamics. The book is structured into four parts, each addressing key aspects of this transformation.

Part I explores the formation of technosocial subjectivity in the digital age, examining how individuals navigate and interpret the complex web of technologies and social interactions. Chapters cover topics such as digital feminism, data activism, networked individualism, digital commons, real-virtual communalism, and the post-family imagination. Contributors delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by these developments, as well as the potential for creating new forms of subjectivity and empowerment.

Part II examines the merging of real and virtual spaces in the urban context, highlighting the coexistence of physical and digital environments. Chapters explore the spatial dimensions of digital exclusion and inclusion, examining how marginalized communities and individuals are affected by the unequal access to technology and resources. Contributors discuss strategies for promoting digital inclusion and equity, as well as the potential for creating inclusive and sustainable urban spaces.

Part III examines the role of digital technology in reshaping the city and our spatial awareness of it. Chapters explore the impact of digital technologies on urban planning, architecture, transportation, and social interactions. Contributors discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the digitalization of cities, such as the potential for increased efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity, as well as the risks and ethical considerations involved.

Part IV explores the prospect of emancipatory and empowering digital citizens. Chapters address the rights and responsibilities of individuals in the digital age, examining issues such as privacy, security, and freedom of expression. Contributors discuss the role of digital technology in shaping democratic processes, social movements, and civic engagement, as well as the potential for creating new forms of political participation and activism.

Throughout the book, contributors engage in critical discussions and raise thought-provoking questions about the developments in both physical and virtual communities, such as cyberspace. They explore the future of urban life in the digital age, considering the potential for new forms of urbanization, urban resilience, and sustainable development. They also examine the impact of digital technology on social dynamics, cultural practices, and individual experiences, raising concerns about the potential for surveillance, control, and exclusion.

In conclusion, this edited collection provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the digital polis, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives from the humanities, media studies, geography, architecture, and urban studies. It highlights the transformative potential of digital technology and the urgent need for a reimagining of urban spaces and communities in the digital age. By addressing the formation of technosocial subjectivity, the merging of real and virtual spaces, the spatial dimensions of digital exclusion and inclusion, and the prospect of emancipatory and empowering digital citizens, the book contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics shaping our urban future.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811996849
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023