1. Postmodern Urbanism

2. Defining postmodern
the contemporary movement of thought which rejects totalities, universal values, grand historical narratives, solid foundations to human existence and the possibility of objective knowledge. Postmodernism is sceptical of truth, unity and progress, opposes what it sees as elitism in culture, tends towards cultural relativism, and celebrates pluralism, discontinuity and heterogeneity
(Eagleton, 2003: 13, note1)
Rapid technological change … shifting political concerns, … the rise of social movements especially with a gender, green, ethnic, racial focus … But the question is even bigger: is modernity itself … disintegrating, including the whole grand edifice of Enlightenment world-views? Is a new type of society appearing, perhaps structured around consumers and consumption rather than workers and production? (Lyon, 1999: ix)

3. What is it then?
A new way of looking at urban space with postmodern ideals…
Gentrification
Historic Preservation
Postmodern architecture
Mixed Use Development
Exurban development – suburbia in cities

4. In attempt to enhance cities as places of consumption, cities support development of festival marketplaces and other ‘tourist’ attractions.
Suburban areas no longer primarily residential and, in fact, are creating new densities with functions competitive with central business district.

5. Edge Cities Has more leasable retail space than liveable
Has more jobs than bedrooms
Is perceived by the population as one place
Was nothing like “city” as recently as thirty years ago

6. Master Planned Communities
Features: “a definable boundary; a consistent but not necessarily uniform character; overall control during the development process by a single development entity; private ownership of recreational amenities; and, enforcement of convenants & restrictions by a master community associations.”

7. Responses to postmodern urbanism
Community – ‘Neo-traditionalism’; local references, increased interaction
Environmental Critique – Pedestrian & transit orientation; Anti-sprawl w/higher densities
Market Niche – expensive master planned communities; ‘gentrification’

8. Birmingham as Postmodern City
B’ham previously though of as ‘non place’, defined by motorways and post-war modernist architecture

9. Regeneration came about not so much as planning and building but attempt to use culture to drive symbolic economy
Use of arts, flagship architectural projects and shopping precincts
City centre rebuilt in ‘quarters’ favouring pedestrianisation as effort to undo motorway city image
Connection now to consumption

10. Brindley place
Mailbox
Custard factory
Fort Dunlop
Selfridges

11. Regeneration is signifier of new and promotable image for city
Peoples image of city changes to that of community space
Questions arise about who’s image is being portrayed? Urban regeneration is important but what about access, true representation of all classes, citizenship and belonging. – Who’s B’ham is it?
Are the various images of it authentic?

12. Sample Exam Question
It has been argued that places and spaces ‘speak’ to us in ways which reinforce our cultural identity. Drawing on contrasting examples, critically evaluate this view of places and spaces