Learning objectives

Referring to knowledge This course provides an introduction to the main perspectives in urban sociology. Its core objectives are to: — Examine the relationship between society and the built environment, applying a sociological perspective to the analysis of the city, urban phenomena, and social problems in the urban context. — Further understanding of how sociology has approached the space-society relationship, with particular focus on: a) processes of urban growth; b) the role of urban planning in shaping the territory; c) the redistributive role of the State in the modernization of cities; d) transformations in social structures and the resulting segregation, social exclusion and inequalities; e) the role of culture in urban regeneration; f) policies of social inclusion promoted by public administrations and the contribution of culture to urban regeneration; g) political processes and shifts in urban governance, including the role of neighbourhood communities, citizens, and civil society in shaping spaces of social justice. — Develop a critical understanding of contemporary urban social issues.   Intended learning outcomes: 1. Introduce students to the principal theoretical perspectives in urban sociology. 2. Understand how sociology has conceptualised the relationship between society and space. 3. Analyse urban growth processes, the role of urban planning in shaping territory, the redistributive functions of the State in city modernisation, and the socio-economic restructuring associated with globalisation. 4. Explain the processes by which social structures are transformed and the processes of social exclusion they trigger. 5. Evaluate social inclusion policies implemented by governments, understand political processes and changes in urban governance, and assess the role of citizens and civil society in shaping spaces of social justice. 6. Reflect critically on the key challenges for environmental and social sustainability in contemporary cities.

 

 

Teaching blocks

 

Theoretical Perspectives in Urban Sociology and the Analysis of the Processes of City Transformation

Cities under flexible capitalism and globalization

 

 

Teaching methods and general organization

 

In line with the characteristics of the course, four types of learning activity are combined: Lectures: the core content of the course is presented and explained. Student participation: based on the reading of texts recommended by tutors, students present insights drawn from these readings and make observations about relevant urban realities. Compulsory reading: students are expected to engage with the materials provided in electronic course dossiers and the recommended bibliography. Supervised written work: students are required to develop written analyses of course content. As part of this last component, students are asked to analyse case studies. The class is divided into two groups, each supported by a tutor. Practical sessions are conducted in workshops, in which students complete continuous assessment exercises linked to the case studies. In these tutored sessions, the class is divided into two groups. One session includes a two-hour field trip to an urban neighbourhood. Where appropriate, the course may also incorporate service-learning (SL) methodology, which involves student engagement with social organisations, institutions, or centres external to the Faculty. In this context, the course optionally includes field trips (2–6 hours) to develop service-learning projects.

 

 

Official assessment of learning outcomes

 

Student performance is evaluated by means of the following components: Test on the content covered in Block 1 (25%). Test on the content covered in Block 2 (25%). Practical exercises: based on the resolution of two case studies, analysis tasks, and problem-solving activities (45%). In-class training activities (5%). To calculate the average grade students must achieve a minimum of 4/10 in each assessed component (the two tests, the practical exercises, and the research assignment). A minimum mark of 4/10 must be achieved in each individual assessment component in order to pass the course. Students who do not reach this threshold in any component are eligible for the resit. Service-Learning (optional): participation in service-learning activities contributes to both the in-class training activities and the practical exercises based on case study analyses and problem-solving.   Examination-based assessment Students are assessed by means of a written exam. The exam consists of two questions, one from each block.  Repeat assessment The criteria for repeat assessment are determined in consultation with the course tutors.

Reading and study resources

Check availability in Cercabib

Book

BRENNER, Neil.; KEIL, Roger. (eds.). The global cities reader. London: Routledge, 2006

Catàleg UB  

CHEN, Xiangming; ORUM, Anthony M.; PAULSEN, Krista. Introduction to cities: how place and space shape human experience. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013

Versió en línia (2013)  

KLINENBERG, E. (2021) Palacios del Pueblo. Políticas para una sociedad más igualitaria Madrid: Capitán Swing

Catàleg UB  

LEFEBVRE, Henri. El derecho a la ciudad. Barcelona: Península, 1978

Catàleg UB  

MOULAERT, Frank.; SWYNGEDOW, E.; MARTINELLI, F.; GONZALEZ, S. (eds.). Can neighbourhoods save the city?: community development and social innovation. London: Routledge, 2010

Catàleg UB  

MUMFORD, Lewis. La ciudad en la historia: sus origenes, transformaciones y perspectivas. Infinito, 1966

Catàleg UB  

PARK, Robert E. La ciudad y otros ensayos de ecología humana. Barcelona: Ediciones del Serbal, 1999

Catàleg UB  

SENNETT, R. (2020) Construir y habitar. Ética para la ciudad Madrid: Anagrama

Catàleg UB  
Catàleg UB. Versió en català  

 PRADEL MIQUEL, Marc y GARCÍA CABEZA, Marisol (eds) El momento de la ciudadanía. Innovación social y gobernanza urbana. Madrid. Los libros de la Catarata

Catàleg UB  

Weber, M. (1987) La ciudad. Barcelona: La Piqueta.

Catàleg UB  

Klinenberg, E. (2018) ‘A place to gather’ dins Palaces for the people New York, Penguin Random House (pp. 25-55) [hi ha traducció al castellà: Klinenberg, E. (2021) Palacios del pueblo, Madrid: Capitán Swing.

(és un bon text introductori a les idees de polítiques de reforç de la comunitat)

Sennett, R. (2019) ‘Ombres del temps’ dins Construir i Habitar, ètica per a la ciutat. Barcelona: Arcàdia.

Chapter

Charnok, G., Ribera-Fumaz, R. (2023) ‘Una transforamción radical’ dins Charnok, G., Mansilla, J., Ribera-Fumaz, R. (eds.) 22@ un distrito de la innovación en disputa. Barcelona: Icaria pp. 65-81.

 

Klinenberg, E. (2018) ‘Ahead of the Storm’ dins Palaces for the people New York, Penguin Random House (pp. 147-176) [hi ha traducció al castellà: Klinenberg, E. (2021) Palacios del pueblo, Madrid: Capitán Swing.

 

Journal

City: Analysis of Urban Trends, Culture, Theory, Policy, Action. Special Issue: Cities for people, non fo profit. vol. 13, issue 2/3 (June-September, 2009), pp.173-377.

(Special issue on social justice and the city).

Article

WIRTH, L. Urbanism as a way of life. En American Journal of Sociology, 1938, vol. 44, núm. 1, pp.1-24.

BRENNER, N. La formación de la ciudad global y el re-escalamiento del espacio del Estado en la Europa occidental post-fordista. EURE: Revista Latinoamericana de Estudios Urbanos Regionales, 2003, vol. 29, núm. 86, pp. 5-35.

COOK, I.; SWYNGEDOUW, E. Cities, social cohesion and the environment: towards a future research agenda. Urban Studies, 2012, 49 (9). pp 1959-1979.

SASSEN, S. (2010) ‘The city: Its return as a lens for social theory’, City, Culture and Society. Elsevier Ltd, 1(1), pp. 3–11

Crouch, C. and Le Galès, P. (2012) ‘Cities as national champions ?’, Journal of European Public Policy, 19(3), pp. 37–41.Blackwell Publishing Limited, 34(3), pp. 427–450. doi: 10.1111/1467-8330.00249.

CANO, Ana Belén. 2017. “Youth and neighborhood effect in Southern European cities: some pending issues to analyse”. Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, niñez y juventud, vol. 15, no 1, pp. 131-145.

Sharkey, Patrick, and Faber, Jacob W. 2014. “Where, When, Why, and For Whom Do Residential Contexts Matter? Moving Away from the Dichotomous Understanding of Neighbourhood Effects”. Annual Review of Sociology. 40 (1): 559-79.

Aguilera, T., Artioli, F., & Colomb, C. (2019). Explaining the diversity of policy responses to platform-mediated short-term rentals in European cities: A comparison of Barcelona, Paris and Milan. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 53(7), 1689-1712. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X19862286

(sobre polítiques de control del lloguer turístic, relacionat amb gentrificació turística)

 

Cugurullo, Federico. «Exposing Smart Cities and Eco-Cities: Frankenstein Urbanism and the Sustainability Challenges of the Experimental City». Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space 50, núm. 1 (febrer 2018): 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X17738535.

(és un bon text sobre les implicacions de l’urbanisme de les smart cities, i els eco-barris)