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Plot by Plot: Plotting Urbanism as an Ordinary Process of Urbanisation
Author(s) -
Karaman Ozan,
Sawyer Lindsay,
Schmid Christian,
Wong Kit Ping
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
antipode
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.177
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1467-8330
pISSN - 0066-4812
DOI - 10.1111/anti.12626
Subject(s) - urbanism , plot (graphics) , urbanization , process (computing) , new urbanism , property (philosophy) , commodification , economic geography , sociology , law and economics , geography , economics , economy , computer science , economic growth , epistemology , archaeology , architecture , mathematics , philosophy , statistics , operating system
With this paper, we analyse an ordinary urban process, which has received little attention so far, and propose a new concept to take account of it: plotting urbanism. It is usually subsumed under terms like “urban informality” or “incremental urbanism” and not studied as a distinct process. In comparing Lagos, Istanbul and Shenzhen we captured four defining features of plotting urbanism: first, it unfolds in a piecemeal fashion with limited comprehensive planning. Second, it emerges from specific territorial compromises often resulting from conflicts between overlapping modes of territorial regulation, land tenure and property rights. Third, plotting is based on commodification of housing and land, which might accentuate socio‐economic differentiations between property‐owners, who often live in the same area, and their tenants. The term “plotting” highlights the key role of the plot in the process. It also alludes to strategic acts of collaboration for individual and collective benefit.