The environmental problems the city faces are innately social. They are catastrophic for some, and barely noticeable for others. A non-racial materialist analysis cannot fully ‘explain this tragedy, nor could racism alone’ (Pulido, 2016:7), as racism remains a constituent logic of capitalism (Robinson, 2000). The institutionalisation of racism, and co-production of race and class (Ziami,Continue reading “Look back & moving forwards”
Category Archives: Los Angeles
What is justice?
As ‘Urban struggles are predominantly socio-ecological struggles’ (Swyngedouw, Heynen and Kaika, 2015), the environmental challenges that face LA are transformed into social issues by the city. So, what should justice look like in the face of these glaring inequalities? Environmental justice is concerned with the uneven distribution of environmental burdens. Finding its routes in theContinue reading “What is justice?”
And then, the lake ran dry
Los Angeles is often referred to as being built on a desert. Whilst this is no more than one of many myths surrounding LA, one of the cities greatest vulnerabilities is its dependence on outside water sources. Importing 85% of its water, and spending $1 billion annually in the process, LA is repeatedly referred toContinue reading “And then, the lake ran dry”
Green infrastructure – or green eviction?
Hello! This week I will be building on my last blog, so if you haven’t read that, please do. As discussed last week, GI often exists as part of a broader trend leaning toward the commodification of nature, particularly in urban spaces, that tries to incorporate environmental conservation into a broader capitalist paradigm. This isContinue reading “Green infrastructure – or green eviction?”
The Urban Question 