This sub-field examines how technology shapes urban life and how urban environments influence technology development.
Urbanization: The process of growth and development of cities, including its social, economic, and demographic features.
Globalization: The interconnectedness of cities and their involvement in global economic and cultural systems.
Technological innovation: The impact of technological advancements on urban development and social relationships.
Social inequality: The uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, and power in urban communities.
Community and identity: The relationship between the built environment, community formation, and social identity.
Urban ecology: The interaction of ecosystems, humans, and built environments in urban areas.
Urban infrastructure: The systems and structures that support urban life, including transportation, utilities, and communication.
Urban governance: The political and administrative structures that manage urban development, regulation, and planning.
Urban history: The social, economic, and political factors that shape the history of urbanization.
Land use and development: The processes of urban planning, zoning, and development that shape urban space.
Spatial analysis: The examination of the spatial patterns and processes that shape urban development and social relationships.
Social networks: The social relationships and connections that form between individuals and groups in urban communities.
Creative economy: The role of creative industries and cultural production in urban development and social relationships.
Urban mobility: The movement of people and goods within urban areas and its social and economic effects.
Public space: The spaces in urban areas that are shared by all members of the community, and the social and political issues that arise in those spaces.
Technological determinism: This approach posits that technology shapes society, culture, and infrastructure. It argues that technological progress drives urban development.
Social shaping of technology: This approach argues that social norms and values shape technology, rather than the other way around. It asserts that people's social interactions influence technological innovation and adoption.
Actor-network theory: This approach regards technology as part of a network that involves various actors, such as individuals, organizations, and institutions. It seeks to understand how these actors interact with one another to shape technological development.
Post-structuralist sociology of technology: This approach focuses on the role of power and discourse in shaping technology. It argues that technological development is driven by societal power structures and ideological beliefs.
Critical urban studies: This approach examines the relationship between technology and social inequality. It looks at how technology perpetuates or alleviates social disparities within urban environments.
Feminist urban studies: This approach examines how women and other marginalized groups interact with technology and spaces within cities. It investigates the ways in which gender and other identities influence technological development and use.
Urban informatics: This approach focuses on the use of digital technology in urban environments. It examines how people interact with technology to produce, consume, and communicate information.
Smart city studies: This approach examines the use of technology to enhance urban services and infrastructure. It looks at the potential benefits and challenges of implementing smart city technologies.