Department of Social Science Urban Studies Professors Douglas Young and the late Lisa Drummond were recognized by the International Planning History Society (IPHS) for their book Socialist and Post-Socialist Urbanisms: Critical Reflections from a Global Perspective. The book was awarded the Third Book Prize, as the best anthology or edited work in planning history written in English.

According to Profs. Young and Drummond, their book is an exploration of the wide-ranging and geographically varied socialist and post-socialist urbanisms that have existed and continue to exist in the world. It focuses on debunking the idea of a single type of ‘socialist city’ and ‘post-socialist city’ and the idea of a clean epochal break between socialist and post- socialist urbanisms.

“All of the contributing authors investigate how people today live with the legacy of a previous era’s urban ideas – ideas that are inscribed in built urban spaces and embodied in urban residents. Our hope is that today’s urban residents understand that urbanism is mutable and socially constructed. Their current urban world can be changed for the better.”

Prof. Drummond was a cherished colleague who passed away in January 2021. An obituary detailing her life and academic career is available here. Prof. Young is an associate professor of Urban Studies in the Department of Social Science at LA&PS. Connect with him to learn more about his research and collaborations.