Work

Beyond Urban Hinterlands. Political Ecology, Urban Metabolism and Extended Urbanization in Medieval England

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Drawing on insights from contemporary urban theory, this contribution questions where medieval urbanization took place. It is proposed that urbanization is a process which extends beyond towns and cities, which are merely a representation of a more expansive and transformative process. Through discussion of building stone, grain production, salt extraction, woodland management and mineral exploitation, it is argued that medieval urbanization was generative of political ecological relations which challenge prevailing understandings of the rural/urban divide and re-frame urbanization as a metabolic process. The discussion utilizes contemporary concepts of ‘extended urbanization’, ‘urban metabolism’ and ‘political ecology’ to re-frame perceptions of medieval–urban relations and the notion of urban hinterland.

Source: Cambridge Archaeological Journal

DOI: 10.1017/s0959774324000210

Author: Ben Jervis

Institution: University of Leicester

Language: English

Topic: Medieval Architecture and Archaeology

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450