Comparative Urbanism and Travelling Theory

Abstract

Abstract Understanding social stratification and social displacement processes in cities is important to the development of social and urban policies. This chapter discusses the value of comparative urbanism and gentrification theory in explaining such processes and the theory’s ability to travel globally. A literature review of how gentrification theory has evolved and been geographically dispersed illustrates the difficulty as well as the fruitfulness of travelling theory. Using comparative methods in urban studies helps building epistemological frameworks that strengthen theory development. A shared, global research agenda of comparative urbanism can also contribute to the struggles over the right to cities. The global force of the Right to the City Movement, which can impact social policies, highlights the value of comparative urbanism and a shared research agenda on gentrification.