Description

Book Synopsis
The ‘smart city’ is often promoted as a technology-driven solution to complex urban issues. While commentators are increasingly critical of techno-optimistic narratives, the political imagination is dominated by claims that technical solutions can be uniformly applied to intractable problems. This book provides a much-needed alternative view, exploring how ‘home-grown’ digital disruption, driven and initiated by local actors, upends the mainstream corporate narrative. Drawing on original research conducted in a range of urban African settings, Odendaal shows how these initiatives can lead to meaningful change. This is a valuable resource for scholars working in the intersection of science and technology studies, urban and economic geography and sociology.

Table of Contents
Introduction: Fantasies, Hope and Compelling Narratives The Expansive Nature of Platforms Hacking Mobility Digital Food Dialogues Cyborg Activism Platform Practices and the Public Imagination Conclusion: On Understanding Situated Platform Urbanism

Disrupted Urbanism: Situated Smart Initiatives in

    Product form

    A Hardback by Nancy Odendaal

    £76.50

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £85.00 – you save £8.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 16 Sep 2026.

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Disrupted Urbanism: Situated Smart Initiatives in by Nancy Odendaal

      Book details

      Publisher Bristol University Press
      Published 16 January 2023
      ISBN-13 9781529218565
      978-1529218565
      ISBN-10 152921856X
      Also in:
      Social and ethical aspects Urban and municipal planning and policy Development studies

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The ‘smart city’ is often promoted as a technology-driven solution to complex urban issues. While commentators are increasingly critical of techno-optimistic narratives, the political imagination is dominated by claims that technical solutions can be uniformly applied to intractable problems. This book provides a much-needed alternative view, exploring how ‘home-grown’ digital disruption, driven and initiated by local actors, upends the mainstream corporate narrative. Drawing on original research conducted in a range of urban African settings, Odendaal shows how these initiatives can lead to meaningful change. This is a valuable resource for scholars working in the intersection of science and technology studies, urban and economic geography and sociology.

      Table of Contents
      Introduction: Fantasies, Hope and Compelling Narratives The Expansive Nature of Platforms Hacking Mobility Digital Food Dialogues Cyborg Activism Platform Practices and the Public Imagination Conclusion: On Understanding Situated Platform Urbanism

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account