Authenticity and Urbanism

<p>This book investigates authenticity an important but controversial cultural concept and its relevance for urban socio-spatial processes. Defining authenticity as an evaluative relationship with an origin it unpacks a range of origins from a critical non-essentialist perspective: self author substance event time place and society.</p><p>Authenticity is a key concept in contemporary culture. It was selected as the word of the year 2023 by Merriam-Webster it is significant for UNESCO in designating the world heritage a philosophical battleground and reflecting concerns about truth and trust in the digital age. This book offers a clear understanding of the concept and discusses its implications for urbanism understood as both material and relational both physical and social. It critically examines whether authentic urbanism may be possible through seeking a solid ground in the self in the act of making in the substance of objects in transformative events in particular times and places and in society and culture.</p><p>Analysing the complexities nuances and controversies of the concept of authenticity and their implications for urban space and society this book explores the promises and pitfalls of authenticity looking for ways of avoiding its dangers and searching for its creative potential. Students and scholars in urban studies geography urban design planning and architecture as well as in sociology and cultural studies would find this interface between ideas and practices informative and insightful.</p>