World Scientific Publishing Company ASIAN ALTERITY: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM THROUGH THE LENS OF CULTURAL STUDIES

Asian Alterity is an interdisciplinary theoretical analysis that vigorously contests the homogeneity of the mainstream Eurocentric values. Part I argues for the need for an alternate perspective to be introduced so as to understand the diversity of Asia's cultural differences at their varied development stages and to meet the complex challenges of the explosive urban expansion and disruptive changes in traditional cultures and lifestyles.Part II of the book consists of nine case studies of Asian major urban cities by well-established academic writers and urban theorists. Each author presents diverse aspects of urban dynamism. The case studies will collectively demonstrate a broad framework to understand the essentiality of the interdisciplinary mode of Cultural Studies as an important lens towards meeting the challenges in Asian Architecture and Urbanism.Highlights of the book: Review provides invaluable insights into aspects of modernity globalization, technology, politics, and social organization -- Iain Borden "Professor of Architecture and Urban Culture Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London" Review This book on Asian Alterity is so welcome, as one of the new (yet still all too rare) explorations in architecture and urbanism which seek to operate from an interdisciplinary perspective, and, as such, comprehend the true difficulty of the life that we seek to comprehend and better. As such, it provides invaluable insights into aspects of what William Lim calls the 'non-West', that is into modernity globalization, technology, politics, and social organization ... it helps me to understand my London-based daily life, one which is composed of similarly complex (and often 'Asian') cultures, languages, peoples, hybrids, diasporas, fractional identities, and disparities of wealth. And the book suggests too that, of course, places like London are also part of the global condition of architectural and urban issues such as memories, public space, uncertainty, spatial justice and what William Lim memorably terms the 'Colonial Hangover'. Review This book is a poised and critical examination of the latent potential in the cultures of those cities ... Their discussions are incisive, objective, and eminently successful in placing the Asian experience in an interdisciplinary framework. Book Description This book is highly recommended to architects, urban planners and decision makers in the respective fields.