University of California Press Handbook of Religion and the Asian City - UC Press Book

Explore the complex relationship between urban development and spiritual life in this academic volume from University of California Press. The Handbook of Religion and the Asian City examines how urban aspirations shape modern Asian world cities. Rather than viewing religion as a relic of the past or cities as purely secular spaces, this collection shows how urban politics and governance reflect religious boundaries and sensibilities. Through a series of essays, readers learn how public religion functions as politics within the urban landscape. The book investigates the friction that occurs when secular projects meet religious ambitions, using the city as the primary arena for this contestation. This text is an essential resource for those studying how urbanization and religious identity interact in the twenty-first century, providing a deep look at the changing dynamics of Asian metropolitan life.