Jennifer Robinson

Jennifer Robinson is an urban geographer famous for developing comparative urbanism, an approach that examines cities without treating European and North American cities as universal models. Her 2006 book "Ordinary Cities" argues that all cities are unique and can contribute to urban theory. This work challenged the longstanding hierarchy in global urban studies.

In "Ordinary Cities," published in 2006, Robinson argues against dividing the world's cities into categories like "global" or "developing." Instead, she proposes treating every city as "ordinary," possessing its own rich diversity and theoretical value. This approach encourages geographers to learn from cities in the Global South just as much as those in the Global North.

Robinson's work shifts the focus of urban geography away from Western-centric theories by promoting a more cosmopolitan approach to studying cities. She encourages researchers to use comparative methods that respect the diverse histories and contexts of individual cities. This allows urban theorists to build knowledge based on a wider variety of global experiences.

Jennifer Robinson is a professor of geography at University College London (UCL). She has spent much of her academic career there developing her theories on comparative urbanism. At UCL, she has helped establish the institution as a leading center for innovative urban geography.