💭 How do planners work amid social division, post‑truth politics, and fractured publics? Mona Fawaz and @davidjmadden.bsky.social join us next week to discuss planning in #Beirut after the 2020 Port explosion. 📅 Mon 2 March | 6.30pm #Cities #LSE

🌍 From #Beirut’s 2020 Port explosion to #global planning debates: Prof. Mona Fawaz reflects on knowledge, politics, and representation in polarised contexts. Chaired by @davidjmadden.bsky.social. 📅 2 March | 6.30pm 🎟️ Open to all and free to attend #LSE #Sociology #Cities

Now out: Special Issue: Value Theory in the Country and the City Environment and Planning F Ten articles by Dallas Rogers @monicaclua.bsky.social @chrishesketh.bsky.social @davidaviles.bsky.social @abieler.bsky.social @davidjmadden.bsky.social @feministonmarx.bsky.social and many more!

“Resolving the housing crisis depends upon reversing and replacing the changes to the British housing system and society that Right to Buy helped to bring about.” Our latest report covered by @davidjmadden.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 🔗👇 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

"Before the policy, social housing made up 31% of overall housing tenure in England. Today it is 16%, causing council housing waiting lists and homelessness to surge." 📰 Read @davidjmadden.bsky.social in @theguardian.com on the enduring impact of Thatcher's Right to Buy policy.

My new article in @city-journal.bsky.social argues for a critical understanding of the meritocratic ideal among urban researchers. In particular, it explores the consequences of how this ideal is reproduced in stigmatised neighbourhoods: doi.org/10.1080/1360.... @lsemethodology.bsky.social

Join us at the @oxfordgeography.bsky.social for In Defense of Housing (2nd ed.) with @davidjmadden.bsky.social – reading group (1 July) + book launch (4 July). Organised by the Rent Cultures Network. Register: forms.gle/vYUf2F1ciPha... @potentiaspace.bsky.social

Worst musician-wanted ad on Gumtree

Imagine what the political and economic landscape would look like if, at any point since 1999, instead of pushing the Washington Consensus, the Democrats and similar parties worldwide had actually listened to the alter-globalization movement and the left critique of free trade

Who runs Britain—its people or the markets & oligarchs? Reeves is boxed in by bond yields. But the truth is: we all are. Democracy has two paths: 1. Obey markets, accept decline and creeping fascism. 2. Disrupt their power. Deepen economic & social democracy. There is no ‘third way’ this time.

This month is giving serious March 2020 vibes—same pervasive feeling of anxiety and sense that the world is accelerating towards unknown disaster

My editorial in the newest issue of CITY: Analysis of urban change, theory, action www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

London twilight never gets old

😐

tbh I’m starting to think that this Trump fellow might not be totally on the level

What happens when you try to report a post over on the Hell Site. At this rate, this may soon be what happens when Americans dial 911

Hot off the digital press, my article in @antipodeonline.bsky.social on Social Reproduction and the Housing Question onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

How has the battle for housing shifted away from traditional political arenas onto private crevices of the city? At this event, Sarah El-Kazaz, @davidjmadden.bsky.social and Mai Taha will explore the world of urban planning and design practices in Istanbul and Cairo.

Tonight! ⤵️

Where is Jean Baudrillard when we, improbably, actually need him

Next week we will hear from @graceblakeley.bsky.social and @michaelvaughan.bsky.social about Grace's recent book, Vulture Capitalism. They will join @davidjmadden.bsky.social to discuss how the causes of our modern crises are the result of the economic system we have built.

📖 El lunes 13 de enero tenemos la primera sesión del año del 'Club de Lectura Capitán Barrio'. En esta ocasión trataremos 'En defensa de la vivienda', de @davidjmadden.bsky.social y Peter Marcuse y nos acompañarán @javigil.bsky.social, académico y activista en defensa del derecho a la vivienda

“…it is the first case in 20 or 30 years that Mexico has broken with the neoliberal dogma that there is no money for this. ‘This is living proof that if you want to, you can spend money on the poor.’”

“You know the programme is working when the rich are complaining that the poor have a gym and a swimming pool.” Utopías now! www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Very Christmasy in Camden Passage

We're hiring an Assistant Professor in the field of #UrbanSociology, who can demonstrate expertise in the social and spatial life of the city, and how planning and/or design impacts urban life. Applications close Sunday 19th January 2025 (23.59 UK time).

Well that’s sad news. Did they identify everyone with their typical order or was it just me that they addressed as “David Whitefish”? www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/n...

Christmas at LSE

This is an important analysis by @cmmonwealth.bsky.social. If Labour think they can meaningfully address the housing problem by relying on the private sector, they are deeply mistaken.

In the kitchen post-meal, cleaning up while listening to music—that’s housework at its best and most fun. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate

Calling it now, Trump’s nominee for head of the National Endowment of the Arts will be Kid Rock

Financialized capitalism and social housing (still)

1990s urbanism fads are new again in the so-called “Fleet Street Quarter.” I guess whenever a Business Improvement District appears, unwanted neighbourhood rebranding and fibreglass statues won’t be too far behind

Why can’t we just call them tweets now that Twitter is called X

The difference in tone between here and the Hellsite is v interesting. Is it by design, or just the lack of people on it? Is it that everyone was lowkey traumatised by all the nazis on Twitter so they're being extra cautious here? I'm not complaining--it's def better. Just wondering about the cause

I'm finding the lack of content on here quite refreshing, compared to the Hellsite