Research
Through an examination of the changing built environments of cities, I explore the interwoven social, cultural, political, and economic contexts of urban (re)development, particularly in the contexts of postindustrial urban spaces, urban infrastructures, and sites of contested cultural heritage. These interests have manifested in a number of discrete but overlapping projects in a variety of geographical contexts. In reality, many of my research projects converge with creative practice, but this section is for work that is primarily textual and academic in nature.
PICTURING
This three-year project explored industrial heritage and redevelopment in European cities and the cultural, social, and economic implications of deindustrialization, focusing on the predominating symbol of industrial cities: the smokestack.
Residual Spaces
I have been engaged with theoretical debates about the relationship between transport infrastructures, the urban spaces through which they pass, deindustrialization, and discourses surrounding so-called “urban wastelands.”
Underneath the Arches: Spaces of Infrastructure and the Postindustrial Imaginary
Building upon my PhD dissertation, this research explores the enduring role that Victorian railway infrastructure plays in the postindustrial transformation of Manchester and London, England. It places special emphasis on re-imaging, industrial heritage, and commercial gentrification.
Destination Barcelona
A study on “expats”, “digital nomads”, and other new, highly-qualified international residents of Barcelona.
Deconstructing the High Line
In 2017, I published the book Deconstructing the High Line Rutgers University Press), co-edited with Christoph Lindner of the University of Oregon. This book is a collection of critical essays exploring the local and global impact of New York City's high-profile new elevated park.
The Contested Heritage of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain
In collaboration with geographer Jaime Jover Báez, this research explores contemporary cultural and economic conflicts surrounding the Mezquita de Córdoba. It explores two interrelated conflicts: the skewed narration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s history and ownership claims of the site by its current custodian, the Catholic Church.