Anima urbis

Abstract

Geographers have long neglected the role of nature in shaping the urban experience. Yet the anima urbis – the breath, life, soul and spirit of the city – is embodied in its animal as well as human life forms. Recent work focused on human-animal relations has begun to re-animate analyses of the city. Such studies range widely, exploring, for example: historical and literary perspectives on the place of animals in the city; links between urban institutions such as zoos and colonialism, nationalism and racial identity formation; negotiations around human-wildlife interactions at the urban fringe; and gender and cultural diversity in attitudes toward animals in world cities. In addition, geographers have begun to consider animals and the urban moral landscape, and assess competing rubrics of planning practice as they relate to animals in the city. Together, these efforts suggest a research agenda for urban geographers interested in human-animal relations, that may help bridge gaps between human and physical geography, and propel the study of nature-society relations to the fore in urban geography.