Walking the City
Walking the City
By Caroline Fermoselle
Student ID: 3203130
London: City of Change
AME_5_LCC
Module Coordinator: Jenny Owen
Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences
Walking the city is viewed by de Certeau as a key 'tactical practice' for a critical understanding of London life; while Benjamin identified the Flâneur and flânerie as central to the urban experience. Critically analyse these key concepts in relation to a walk or walks you have experienced in London.
Cultural theorists Walter Benjamin and Michel de Certeau have conceptualized the process of understanding the city and reflecting upon urban life. According to De Certeau, walking is the key ‘tactical practice’. In other words, walking is the most effective tactic that allows the execution of the strategy, which in this case is understanding the city. He views walking as being conducive to opportunities for learning. The approaches of de Certeau and Benjamin are different yet they share the central theme of walking. Benjamin focuses on flanerie as being central to the urban experience. The Flâneur refers to an artist whose work is meant to evoke place-bound nostalgia, memories, and uncover local history (Stevenson, 2003). Flanerie is the act of occupying urban space by strolling effortlessly and observing the built environment.
Both theorists recognize the connection between urban walking and the development of culture. They also view walking as a way of investigating social meaning in the built environment (Rotenberg and Mcdonough, 1993). Benjamin focuses on flanerie as the means to uncover history and identify the traces of emerging modernity. De Certeau believes that walking is essential in order to understand the utilization of space as a form of resistance to collectivism (Stevenson, 2003). He also discusses the difference between the concept city (one that is interpreted with a map and is approached with preconceived notions) and the lived city (experienced first-hand).
By Caroline Fermoselle
Student ID: 3203130
London: City of Change
AME_5_LCC
Module Coordinator: Jenny Owen
Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences
Walking the city is viewed by de Certeau as a key 'tactical practice' for a critical understanding of London life; while Benjamin identified the Flâneur and flânerie as central to the urban experience. Critically analyse these key concepts in relation to a walk or walks you have experienced in London.
Cultural theorists Walter Benjamin and Michel de Certeau have conceptualized the process of understanding the city and reflecting upon urban life. According to De Certeau, walking is the key ‘tactical practice’. In other words, walking is the most effective tactic that allows the execution of the strategy, which in this case is understanding the city. He views walking as being conducive to opportunities for learning. The approaches of de Certeau and Benjamin are different yet they share the central theme of walking. Benjamin focuses on flanerie as being central to the urban experience. The Flâneur refers to an artist whose work is meant to evoke place-bound nostalgia, memories, and uncover local history (Stevenson, 2003). Flanerie is the act of occupying urban space by strolling effortlessly and observing the built environment.
Both theorists recognize the connection between urban walking and the development of culture. They also view walking as a way of investigating social meaning in the built environment (Rotenberg and Mcdonough, 1993). Benjamin focuses on flanerie as the means to uncover history and identify the traces of emerging modernity. De Certeau believes that walking is essential in order to understand the utilization of space as a form of resistance to collectivism (Stevenson, 2003). He also discusses the difference between the concept city (one that is interpreted with a map and is approached with preconceived notions) and the lived city (experienced first-hand).