Urban Political Economy, Essay Example

Urban political economy holds a very important theoretical and practical application to the political and economic functions within society.  “Urban political economy discusses the complex nature in which people occupy space and attempt to utilize the space to achieve a set of desired ends” (Short 12).  There are many factors associated with this very broad definition.  Economic activity and housing within the United States are two such issues relating to urban political economy.  The governmental functions and private financial undertakings associated with the occupation and usage of space can be very complex.  Legal concerns such as individual, governmental and private rights to space and the rights that individuals have to use the space also fall under this umbrella.  Most importantly, however, is the economic factor that exists.  Essentially, every single decision that someone or a group makes to use, distribute and occupy space has an economic consequence.  These consequences may be positive or negative and can vary in degree.

Murray described urban political economy whereby theorists “look upon the cityscape as a contested terrain, where spatial politics involve struggles over the use of urban space, particularly in regard to who belongs where and with what entitlements or citizenship rights” (4).  Through this definition, it is clear that government must play a crucial role in clearly defining what space can be owned and who has specific citizenship rights within the space.  Two different types of space can exist within the urban environment: public and private.  To ensure that public space is not mistreated, laws and ordinances may exist to limit the amount of use or type of use that is appropriate.  Private property must also be defined and private property ownership rights determined to protect the owner.  In any of the defined scenarios, the government plays a crucial role in defining, regulating and delegating space and citizenship rights to that space.

Works Cited

Murray, Martin J. The evolving spatial form of cities in a globalising world economy: Johannesburg and Sao Paulo. Chicago: HSRC, 2004. Web. 7 Dec. 2009. <http://books.google.com/books?id=vTDyuFGtNkYC&pg=PA4&dq=%22Urban+political+economy%22&as_brr=1#v=onepage&q=%22Urban%20political%20economy%22&f=false>.

Short, John R. The Urban Order. New York: Blackwell, 1997.