RELIGION AND URBANISM. RECONCEPTUALISING SUSTAINABLE CITIES FOR SOUTH ASI

Religion and Urbanism contributes to an expanded understanding of the notion of 'sustainable cities' in the context of South Asia by demonstrating that religion exerts a significant influence on the nature of urban development in the region. The book argues that the multiple, often conflicting and complicated ways in which religion or the multiplicity of religions enable or challenge socially equitable and ecologically sustainable urbanisation must thus be considered in analyses of 'sustainable urban development' of the region. South Asia has experienced relatively low rates of urbanisation; however the current and projected scale of its urban population growth, as well as the informal nature of urbanisation makes the study of 'sustainable urban development' and 'sustainable cities' in this region particularly compelling. Much like modernist urban planning, the 'sustainable cities' concept with its focus on environmentalism is imported uncritically from the West and imposed on planning practices in South Asia. However the notion has already been criticised for being exclusionary of the specific needs of the poorest, ethnic and religious minorities and women. Moreover, it negates discussions on other critical aspects of urban policy such as religion, culture and history. This book identifies and understands religion's influence on urban development, urbanity and the nature of urbanisation in South Asian cities as a challenge or an opportunity for sustainable urban development. It also provides much-needed implications for policy. This book makes a much-needed contribution to the nexus between religion and urban planning for researchers, postgraduate students and policy makers in Development Studies, Urban Studies, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Heritage Studies and Urban and Religious Geography.