The City of Collective Memory: Social Theory in Urban Planning

Every city tells a story through its streets, monuments, and neighborhoods. Understanding how communities remember and interact with their shared history is essential for creating vibrant, equitable urban environments. This text-based course introduces you to the intersection of social theory, collective memory, and urban planning, helping you analyze how physical spaces preserve or erase cultural heritage. You will gain a deeper appreciation of the social forces that shape the built environment. What you'll learn: 1. Understand the foundational concepts of collective memory and social theory in urban contexts. 2. Analyze how public spaces, monuments, and architecture serve as repositories of shared history. 3. Explore the tension between urban preservation, gentrification, and modern development. 4. Apply participatory planning concepts to ensure diverse community voices are represented in city designs. 5. Examine modern case studies of cities balancing historical preservation with sustainable growth. Starting with core definitions of space and memory, the course guides you through reading-based modules and analytical exercises to evaluate real-world urban landscapes. Designed for beginners in urban planning, sociology, architecture, or public policy, this course requires no prior background in social theory. Begin your journey into the heart of urban history and design today.