Negotiating Resilience with Hard and Soft City

This book explores how cities are shaped by the lived experiences of inhabitants and examines the ways they develop strategies to cope with daily and unexpected challenges. It argues that migration, livelihood, and public health challenges result from inadequacies in the hard city and that these challenges and escalating vulnerabilities are best negotiated using the soft city. It presents perspectives from the Global South and the Global North and engages with city-specific cases from Africa, India, and Europe for a deeper understanding of resilience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between the lived experiences of city inhabitants and the strategies they employ to navigate the ever-evolving challenges they face. It argues that migration, livelihood, and public health issues arise from inadequacies in the hard city, characterized by its physical assets such as land, infrastructure, and housing. Recognizing the escalating vulnerabilities associated with these challenges, the authors advocate for a holistic approach, employing the soft city—social capital and community networks—to address them effectively. By challenging a singular knowledge system, the book encourages a granular and nuanced understanding of cities, encompassing the intricate interrelationships between people, everyday urbanisms, social relationships, cultural practices, and histories.

The volume presents diverse perspectives from the Global South and the Global North, engaging with city-specific cases from Africa, India, and Europe to deepen our understanding of resilience. As part of the Urban Futures series, this book holds immense appeal to students and researchers specializing in urban studies, urban planning, urban management, architecture, urban sociology, urban design, ecology, conservation, and urban sustainability. It is also valuable for urbanists, architects, urban sociologists, city and town planners, policy makers, and anyone seeking a deeper comprehension of the contemporary and future city.

Through its insightful analysis and compelling narratives, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape cities and the strategies employed to build resilient and inclusive urban environments. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and anyone passionate about creating a better future for cities and their inhabitants.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032289434