Mapping the City: Innovation and Continuity in the Chicago School of Sociology, 1920–1934

Owens, B. Robert

doi:10.1007/s12108-012-9160-7

Cited by 36 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The tradition of socio-spatial neighbourhood change research extends back roughly a century, to the Chicago and Atlanta schools of urban sociology [ 8 – 10 ]. These early efforts pioneered methods of close observation and data collection, including contributing to the modernization of census bureaus and the creation of standardized census tract boundaries to facilitate neighbourhood comparison [ 11 ]. Even if they have been criticized and modified over time, many of the key concepts and typologies from this period remain relevant and in circulation today [ 12 ].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

Silver

Silva

2021

PLoS ONE

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This paper seeks to advance neighbourhood change research and complexity theories of cities by developing and exploring a Markov model of socio-spatial neighbourhood evolution in Toronto, Canada. First, we classify Toronto neighbourhoods into distinct groups using established geodemographic segmentation techniques, a relatively novel application in this geographic setting. Extending previous studies, we pursue a hierarchical approach to classifying neighbourhoods that situates many neighbourhood types within the city’s broader structure. Our hierarchical approach is able to incorporate a richer set of types than most past research and allows us to study how neighbourhoods’ positions within this hierarchy shape their trajectories of change. Second, we use Markov models to identify generative processes that produce patterns of change in the city’s distribution of neighbourhood types. Moreover, we add a spatial component to the Markov process to uncover the extent to which change in one type of neighbourhood depends on the character of nearby neighbourhoods. In contrast to the few studies that have explored Markov models in this research tradition, we validate the model’s predictive power. Third, we demonstrate how to use such models in theoretical scenarios considering the impact on the city’s predicted evolutionary trajectory when existing probabilities of neighbourhood transitions or distributions of neighbourhood types would hypothetically change. Markov models of transition patterns prove to be highly accurate in predicting the final distribution of neighbourhood types. Counterfactual scenarios empirically demonstrate urban complexity: small initial changes reverberate throughout the system, and unfold differently depending on their initial geographic distribution. These scenarios show the value of complexity as a framework for interpreting data and guiding scenario-based planning exercises.

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Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

Silver

Silva

2021

PLoS ONE

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“…The tradition of socio-spatial neighbourhood change research extends back roughly a century, to the Chicago and Atlanta schools of urban sociology [8][9][10]. These early efforts pioneered methods of close observation and data collection, including contributing to the modernization of census bureaus and the creation of standardized census tract boundaries to facilitate neighbourhood comparison [11]. Even if they have been criticized and modified over time, many of the key concepts and typologies from this period remain relevant and in circulation today [12].…”

Section: Socio-spatial Neighbourhood Change Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

Silver

Silva

2020

Preprint

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This paper seeks to advance neighbourhood change research and complexity theories of cities by developing and exploring a Markov model of socio-spatial neighbourhood evolution in Toronto, Canada. First, we classify Toronto neighbourhoods into distinct groups using established geodemographic segmentation techniques, a relatively novel application in this setting. Extending previous studies, we pursue a hierarchical approach to classifying neighbourhoods that situates many neighbourhood types within the city’s broader structure. Our hierarchical approach is able to incorporate a richer set of types than most past research and allows us to study how neighbourhoods' positions within this hierarchy shape their trajectories of change. Second, we use Markov models to identify generative processes that produce patterns of change in the city’s distribution of neighbourhood types. Moreover, we add a spatial component to the Markov process to uncover the extent to which change in one type of neighbourhood depends on the character of nearby neighbourhoods. In contrast to the few studies that have explored Markov models in this research tradition, we validate the model's predictive power. Third, we demonstrate how to use such models in theoretical scenarios considering the impact on the city’s predicted evolutionary trajectory when existing probabilities of neighbourhood transitions or distributions of neighbourhood types would hypothetically change. Markov models of transition patterns prove to be highly accurate in predicting the final distribution of neighbourhood types. Counterfactual scenarios empirically demonstrate urban complexity: small initial changes reverberate throughout the system, and unfold differently depending on their initial geographic distribution. These scenarios show the value of complexity as a framework for interpreting data and guiding scenario-based planning exercises.

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“…A different approach traces its origins to the Chicago School of Sociology, which pioneered "ecological" styles of thought about cities, and social life in general --though it built on predecessors such as von Thünen (Owens, 2012;Abbott, 1999). More explicitly drawing on biological inspirations, this type of account views the city as a competition for space that generates interdependent zones, characterized by their proximity to the central business district.…”

Section: Chicago School Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a model of urban evolution I: context

Silver¹,

Fox²,

Adler³

2020

Preprint

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This paper seeks to develop the core concepts of a model of urban evolution. It proceeds in four major sections. First we review prior adumbrations of an evolutionary model in urban theory, not-ing their potential and their limitations. Second, we turn to the general sociocultural evolution litera-ture to draw inspiration for a fresh and more complete application of evolutionary theory to the study of urban life. Third, building upon this background, we outline the main elements of our proposed model, with special attention to elaborating the value of its key conceptual innovation, the “formeme.” Last, we conclude with a discussion of what types of research commitments the overall approach does or does not imply, and point toward the more formal elaboration of the model that we undertake in “Towards a Model of Urban Evolution II” and “Towards a Model of Urban Evo-lution III.”

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Mapping the City: Innovation and Continuity in the Chicago School of Sociology, 1920–1934

Cited by 36 publications

References 19 publications

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

A Markov model of urban evolution: Neighbourhood change as a complex process

Towards a model of urban evolution I: context

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