Intersections between critical urban theory and urban morphology. A case study of Holbeck and Leeds South Bank

Description

On the basis of seminal works by Lefebvre (2003) recent studies grounded
on critical urban theory investigate the concept of planetary urbanization (Brenner, 2013), showing significant links between the expansion of urban settlements and broader processes of territorial re-organisation.
By questioning the meaning of the urban in relationship to capitalism and its means of accumulation by urbanization, these studies provide ground to the better understanding of relations in between urban and non-urban areas as well as an interpretation of dynamic processes of urbanization.
Taking into consideration the urban fringe belt concept (M.G.R. Conzen, 1960 and others) and its consequent application in different towns and cities (M.P. Conzen, 2009), the paper investigates a case study of Holbeck and Leeds South Bank. The paper recognizes different phases of urban growth and decay since the mid-18th century, and questions to what extent the area can be considered an urban fringe. Moreover, the paper highlights the relevance of precedent studies and of critical urban theory in the understanding of the dynamics of its urban form, and provides ground for further research.

Period	27 Sep 2017 - 29 Sep 2017
Held at	24th International Seminar on Urban Form Conference
Event type	Conference
Conference number	24
Location	Valencia, Spain
Degree of Recognition	International