Castells, Cities And The Network Society: Formidable Ambition, Great Intuitions, Selective Legacy
Abstract
This paper reviews the formidable but selective influence of Castells' analysis of the network society and the information revolution. First, the paper argues that the theorization and the style of writing this type of grand theory have both contributed to the success of those papers but also limited their long-term influence. Second, it argues that Castells decisively contributed to identify the importance of global networks. However, his systematic use of this social form to explain the transformations proved in part misleading. Third, his analysis of spatial transformations is particularly interesting. As an urban sociologist, he has developed a sophisticated framework to articulate cities and urbanization processes in relation to global networks, neither reifying cities nor abandoning the concept contrasting European cities with metropolitan regions.