In the context of anthropology, what historically characterized the approach of traditional anthropologists towards urban environments, particularly before the consolidation of urban anthropology in the 1960s and 1970s?

⭐ Core Definition: Urban anthropology

Urban anthropology is a subset of anthropology concerned with issues of urbanization, poverty, urban space, social relations, and neoliberalism. The field has become consolidated in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ulf Hannerz quotes a 1960s remark that traditional anthropologists were "a notoriously agoraphobic lot, anti-urban by definition". Various social processes in the Western World as well as in the "Third World" (the latter being the habitual focus of attention of anthropologists) brought the attention of "specialists in 'other cultures'" closer to their homes.

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In the context of anthropology, what historically characterized the approach of traditional anthropologists towards urban environments, particularly before the consolidation of urban anthropology in the 1960s and 1970s?

HINT: Early anthropologists often prioritized studying cultures outside of Western, industrialized societies, leading to a perception that they were hesitant to engage with urban environments and their complexities.

In this Dossier

⭐ Core Definition: Urban anthropology
Urban anthropology in the context of Urban area
Urban anthropology in the context of Urban studies

Urban anthropology in the context of Urban area

An urban area is a human settlement with a high population density and an infrastructure of built environment. Urban areas originate through urbanization, and researchers categorize them as cities, towns, conurbations or suburbs. In urbanism, the term "urban area" contrasts to rural areas such as villages and hamlets; in urban sociology or urban anthropology, it often contrasts with natural environment.

The development of earlier predecessors of modern urban areas during the urban revolution of the 4th millennium BCEled to the formation of human civilization and ultimately to modern urban planning, which along with other human activities such as exploitation of natural resources has led to a human impact on the environment.

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Urban anthropology in the context of Urban studies

Urban studies is the transdisciplinary study of urban settlements and urban development—comprising the theory portion of the field of urban planning. Topics range from geography, sociology, anthropology, history, urban design and architecture, to public policy and politics, and their interrelations with community development. Urban studies is a major field of study used by practitioners of urban planning, it helps with the understanding of human values, development, and the interactions they have with their physical environment.

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Urban anthropology