Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Event to unearth Leeds’s urban history
Dr Ewen explained: “Urban history is all about researching the history of urban places in their wider regional, national and even international context. It is interested in the history of towns and cities, as well as the streets, public spaces, districts, neighbourhoods, buildings and the people who live and work there. Urban historians use a range of sources in their research – maps, plans, directories, newspapers, photographs, film, and the buildings and spaces around us in the contemporary city.”
The day will be made up of talks and practical, hands-on workshops, using the Leeds Collection compiled by the Thoresby Society and held at the Leeds Library. The group will take part in a mapping activity, creating their own trails around the centre of Leeds based around themes such as work/industry, politics, housing and leisure.
In the afternoon, there will be a walking tour of central Leeds, taking in some of the city’s known, and lesser-known, landmarks.
Dr Ewen added: “The Researching Urban History day is open to everyone with an interest in doing their own urban histories of Leeds, or other towns and cities, and there is no prior experience necessary.”
For more information about the day, please contact S.Ewen@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
Dr Ewen published a book entitled ‘What is Urban History?’ last year, examining the history of urban settlements across the world, from London to Shanghai, how these have changed, and how they shape our social identities.
Shane commented: “Only a century ago, just two out of every 10 people in the world were living in urban areas. In 2015, more than half the world’s population was living in urban areas. Much of this recent growth, since the 1950s, has occurred in developing countries. In 2013, of every 10 urban residents in the world more than seven could be found in developing countries, and the rate of urbanisation shows no signs of abatement in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Latin America. My book helps us to appreciate the historical factors that have caused this momentous change.”