Walter Benjamin's Urban Thought: A Critical Analysis
- 1 April 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Environment and Planning D: Society and Space
- Vol. 13 (2) , 201-216
- https://doi.org/10.1068/d130201
Abstract
In this paper I offer an introductory survey of Walter Benjamin's writings on cities and urbanism in order to explore the potential value of his insights for urban studies, I address the following issues: the complexity and variety of Benjamin's urban writings; the status of Benjamin's theory of modern urban experience in his thought; the distinct textual strategics developed in his urban writings; and the relationship between memory, the built environment, and historical processes. I argue that Benjamin's concept of ‘aura’ can be used to place his interest in cities and urbanisim in context, I conclude with the suggestion that these notions can usefully inform current writings in urban studies.Keywords
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