New Books Network Ihnji Jon, "Cities in the Anthropocene: New Ecology and Urban Politics" (Pluto Press, 2021)
Nov 8, 2025
Ihnji Jon, an urban politics scholar and author, explores how cities can spearhead transformative environmental politics amid climate change. He discusses the concept of new ecology which bridges the nature-culture divide, offering innovative urban planning approaches. Jon highlights case studies from cities like Darwin and Cleveland, reflecting on how local experiences shape bottom-up ethics and pragmatic political actions. His insights reveal that tackling global issues often starts with grassroots efforts in our urban environments.
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Everyday-Based New Ecology
- New ecology rejects strict human/nature binaries and stresses co-evolution and entanglement.
- Ihnji Jon argues responsibility must be grounded in everyday urban experience, not universal norms.
Frame Environment As Everyday Material
- In conservative cities practitioners avoid the word "environment" and use neutral material terms to win support.
- Framing policies as everyday benefits creates broader political possibility for pro-environment outcomes.
How The Four Cities Were Chosen
- Jon selected Tulsa after reading hazard literature that highlighted it as an exemplar for disaster-resilient spatial form.
- He then added Darwin, Cleveland, and Cape Town to create an international comparative lens.
