Proceedings of The 5th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Science
Year: 2018
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/5icrbs.2018.12.89
CONTEMPORARY CITY AS A SUBJECT OF RESEARCH:A MULTI-FACETED ANALYSIS
Izabela Kapsa, Alina Kaszkur and Kamila Sierzputowska
ABSTRACT:
Researching the contemporary city in social sciences requires many perspectives to obtain a complementary and integral approach to the problems and challenges that it is facing – the city as a place to live and as a subject of politics. The article presents a research proposal based on the analysis of three aspects of urban policy and the interaction of authorities with citizens: innovations, e-politics and conflicts. The contemporary city is subject to changes not only of a social, but also of technological and political nature. That is why we point to public innovations as tools contributing to expanding the field of activity of city dwellers. Then we introduce the concept of e-politics and its importance for the development of bilateral communication on the line of a resident of the city and the institution of power. We also claim that technology has mobilization potential, but also causes polarization – it sharpens social divisions. So we are writing about the role of conflict as an indicator of civic interactions, establishing relationships and undertaking various forms of activity. A contemporary city full of paradoxes and facing new challenges and opportunities, is undoubtedly an interesting field of research, especially for researchers of political science. This research addresses issues related to participatory management instruments, city development prospects and forms of co-deciding about it.
Keywords: city; conflicts; e-politics; new media; public innovations.