Vertical cities: representations of urban verticality in 20th-century science fiction literature

Hewitt, L. and Graham, S. (2015) Vertical cities: representations of urban verticality in 20th-century science fiction literature. Urban Studies, 52(5), pp. 923-937. (doi: 10.1177/0042098014529345)

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Abstract

This paper seeks to intersect two recent trends in urban research. First, it takes seriously the recognition that established traditions of research concerned with urban space have tended to privilege the horizontal extension of cities to the neglect of their vertical or volumetric extension. Second, the paper contributes to the resurgence of interest among social scientists in the validity of fiction – and especially speculative or science fiction – as a source of critical commentary and as a mode of knowledge that can exist in close reciprocity with non-fictional work. From these two starting points the paper develops a reading of the dialogue between the representations of vertical urban life that have featured in landmark works of 20th-century science fiction literature and key themes in contemporary urban analysis.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hewitt, Dr Lucy
Authors: Hewitt, L., and Graham, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:Urban Studies
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:0042-0980
ISSN (Online):1360-063X

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