Cities and Dialogue ― The Public Life of Knowledge

This book explores the role of dialogue in urban community formations, specifically focusing on the need for civic dialogue within urban spaces. It examines the relationships between people and place, analyzing how local narratives are constructed by community members and, in a contrasting manner, by professional practitioners. Drawing on theory and method, as well as three city case studies in Liverpool (UK), Medellin (Colombia) and Berlin (Germany), this book analyzes patterns within the city that affect community-members’ engagements with spaces, and the politics of inclusion and segregation. Each of the case study cities has experienced a major historical change, and sought to reconstruct its own narrative in relation to this change through major civic projects. Two major themes are considered: modes of information capture and transformation through dialogue, and the interfaces and learning of information, to explore the means by which knowledge is encountered and re-conceptualized through dialogue. The final section of the book considers the need for reflexivity in professional practice, arguing for an integrated approach between urban and knowledge professionals.