Urban studies: Doing research when every city is different

In Canada, urban studies is just over 50 years old. In this respect, the field is still in the process of defining itself. (Shutterstock)

Urban studies is sometimes considered a loosely defined interdisciplinary academic domain, lacking the scientific rigour needed to understand cities.

In Canada, urban studies is a little more than 50 years old; a young field, by scientific standards. This begs the question: does urban studies provide an introduction to cities in general for university students? Or is it, instead, the basis of a distinctively Canadian way to understand our cities and urbanity?