Topological London

Erickson, K. (2015) Topological London. In: Franklin, I., Chignell, H. and Skoog, K. (eds.) Regional Aesthetics: Mapping UK Media Cultures. Palgrave: Houndmills. ISBN 9781137532824

Abstract

This chapter considers the topological ordering of urban space enabled by mobile computing devices, using London as a field site and example. Building on theory developed by Scott Lash, Rob Shields and others, I first distinguish between virtual and topological figurations of the city. I then consider the various implications of topological spatiality for urban politics, before moving on to an attempt to empirically develop a typology of mobile applications centred on London, each offering different opportunities for urban encounter and representation. The central argument advanced in this chapter is that mobile-enabled topologies are important and increasingly routine social imaginaries with the potential to radically disrupt other kinds of socio-spatial order.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: London, mobile applications, networking, urban geography, topology, spatiality, virtual reality, hypermodernity, Badiou, situationism
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Erickson, Professor Kristofer
• Authors: Erickson, K.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General); D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain; G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General); Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Computer software
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Law
• Publisher: Palgrave
• ISBN: 9781137532824
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Palgrave
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher