The fluid city, urbanism as process

Urbanism is not static but a dynamic, fluid process that generates diverse urban forms. This study challenges the conventional classification of cities based on shared features like irrigation or hierarchy, instead advocating for an approach that focuses on common processes across urban assemblages. By analyzing archaeological data from Liangzhu City in China, alongside sites in Southeast Asia and Mexico, the research demonstrates how humans, other species, and objects interact to create new possibilities and potentials. This perspective of 'urbanism as process' allows for a more nuanced understanding of urban diversity, which is likely to increase with future archaeological discoveries. The study integrates recently published materials, site plans, aerial surveys, and ecological research to illustrate this transformative approach.

Leadbetter, M. P. (2021). The fluid city, urbanism as process. World Archaeology, 53(1), 137–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2021.2001367