Turning Up the Heat: Urban Political Ecology for a Climate Emergency

The field of Urban Political Ecology (UPE) has shifted its focus towards the climate emergency, exploring how urbanization can contribute to socio-environmental equality in the face of climate change. This collection brings together theoretical discussions and empirical analysis from key scholars across three generations, engaging with cutting-edge approaches such as feminist political ecology and circular economies. It advocates for a more informed UPE that recognizes the role of postcolonial processes and more-than-human ontologies of capital accumulation within the context of the climate emergency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Since its emergence in the 1990s, the field of Urban Political Ecology (UPE) has been a groundbreaking force in challenging traditional notions of the "city as entirely distinct from nature." Instead, UPE has demonstrated how cities are intricately connected to ecological processes and the flow of resources. More recently, a new generation of scholars has shifted their focus towards the urgent issue of climate change.

Turning up the heat: Urban Political Ecology and the Climate Emergency is a groundbreaking collection that seeks to harness the critical insights of UPE to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. The book brings together theoretical discussions and rigorous empirical analysis from leading scholars across three generations, engaging UPE in the ongoing debates about urbanization and climate change.

By incorporating cutting-edge approaches such as feminist political ecology, circular economies, and the Anthropocene, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationships between urbanization, climate change, and socio-environmental equality. Case studies from Singapore, Amsterdam, Nairobi, and Vancouver showcase the diverse experiences and challenges faced by cities in the global south and north.

Contributors to the book make a compelling case for a UPE that is informed by situated knowledge, recognizing the importance of postcolonial processes and more-than-human ontologies of capital accumulation within the context of the climate emergency. They advocate for an embodied UPE that pays equal attention to the role of human agency and social movements in shaping urban environments.

Recognizing the rich intellectual heritage of UPE, Turning up the heat aims to enrich rather than divide the field. The book reveals how UPE is uniquely positioned to address contemporary environmental issues in both theory and practice. By integrating insights from various disciplines and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, UPE can contribute to the development of more sustainable and equitable cities.

In conclusion, Turning up the heat: Urban Political Ecology and the Climate Emergency is a vital contribution to the ongoing discourse on urbanization and climate change. By bringing together scholars from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, the book offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex challenges and opportunities facing cities in the 21st century. As we navigate the rapidly changing landscape of urbanization, this book provides valuable insights and strategies for building more resilient, sustainable, and just cities.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526167996