Urban Violence: Security, Imaginary, Atmosphere

This book aims to unpack the link between urban violence, security, and urbanization by challenging long-term theoretical problems and framing urban violence as a category with analytical and strategic power. It argues that urban violence is shaped by three interlocking trajectories: capitalist urbanization, the spatio-political project of the urban, and concrete urban atmospheres.

Format: Hardback
Length: 430 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Urban violence continues to hold a unique position within social and urban research. This book aims to unravel the intricate relationship between urban violence, security, and urban environments. The first argument presented in this book is that urban violence remains under-theorized due to longstanding theoretical challenges related to both the 'urban' and 'violence' aspects. The second objective is to address these critical questions: (1) How can violence be conceptualized in a way that allows for a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of urban violence? (2) What constitutes the 'urban' in urban violence? (3) How can the concepts of 'urban' and 'violence' be interconnected in a way that empowers us to analyze and strategically address urban violence as a distinct category?

The third and central argument of this book is that urban violence can be framed as a precise category, shaped by three interlocking trajectories: the process of (capitalist) urbanization, the spatial-political project of the urban, and the concrete urban atmospheres in which these processes and projects materialize, often violently. These trajectories interact and reinforce each other, contributing to the formation of urban violence.

Through a genealogy that articulates political economic and vital materialism, this book seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of urban violence. It explores how capitalist urbanization, driven by economic interests and the pursuit of profit, leads to the marginalization and exploitation of certain groups within urban spaces. The spatial-political project of the urban, characterized by the construction of specific urban forms and the organization of social relations, plays a crucial role in perpetuating urban violence. Finally, the concrete urban atmospheres, characterized by social tensions, economic inequalities, and cultural clashes, provide the fertile ground for the manifestation of urban violence.

By examining these interlocking trajectories, this book offers a framework for analyzing and addressing urban violence. It highlights the need for a multi-dimensional approach that considers the political, economic, and social factors contributing to urban violence. It also emphasizes the importance of community engagement, social cohesion, and sustainable urban development in mitigating the risks and consequences of urban violence.

In conclusion, urban violence remains a complex and pressing issue that requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. This book aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on urban violence by offering a nuanced understanding of its origins, dynamics, and potential solutions. By unpacking the link between urban, violence, and security, this book seeks to empower individuals and communities to work towards creating safer and more inclusive urban environments.

Weight: 762g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793637307