CHANSE Call Partner Search Tool

General Information

• Project title: Urban crises in the age of catastrophe: resilience and recovery of European cities in Europe in the early twentieth century
• Type: Project looking for partner
• Organisation: Jagiellonian University, Institute of History
• Country: Poland (PL)

Research area

• Call theme: Crisis - Perspectives from the Humanities
• Keywords:

  Urban resilience; war crisis; migration crisis; environmental disasters; postwar crisis

• Brief description of your expertise / expertise you are looking for:

  We are currently seeking an individual/institution to join our research team and contribute to a comprehensive study of urban crises. This opportunity offers the chance to delve into crucial aspects of urban crises, focusing on three key dimensions: environmental crises, war crises, and migration crises. Our project is dedicated to addressing critical gaps in the understanding of urban crises, here specifically we welcome specialists in the realms of environmental crises and cataclysms. We aim to investigate the profound consequences of these crises, ultimately bridging the gap between the aftermath of historical climatic crises and the ongoing challenges we face today.

• Brief description of your project / the project you would like to join:

  This project examines how European cities responded to crises during the early 20th century (1900-1939), focusing on war, migration, and environmental disasters. By studying the interplay between urbanization and these challenges, the project reveals how cities coped, recovered, and shaped resilience. The research explores how crises impacted urban communities, delving into causes, experiences, and representations, while highlighting the role of urbanism and humanitarianism. Through historical analysis, the project contributes to interdisciplinary discussions on urban resilience, disaster management, and societal responses to today\'s challenges. Objectives: Explore Urban Resilience: Analyze how European cities responded to diverse challenges - war, migration, and environmental disasters - during the early 20th century. Investigate the strategies and mechanisms that enabled urban resilience and recovery. Contextualize Historical Transformations: Understand the impact of urbanization on Europe\'s built and natural environment, and how this shaped social, economic, and political changes from the mid-19th century onwards. Adopt an Urban Lens: Utilize an urban lens to examine the causes, experiences, and representations of military conflicts, population displacements, and ecological degradation. Consider how these crises affected urban communities and wider society. Methodology: Localized Analysis: Situate crises within specific urban contexts to better comprehend their impacts on various locales. This approach facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics involved. Interdisciplinary Approach: Employ history and a range of humanistic disciplines to address contemporary challenges. This facilitates a nuanced exploration of how historical experiences inform present-day discussions on urban resilience and reconstruction. Comparative Study: Investigate a broad spectrum of urban disasters, such as earthquakes and fires, alongside man-made crises like war. Compare responses and outcomes to uncover patterns and lessons. Relevance and Impact: The project holds substantial contemporary relevance, given the increasing vulnerability of urban environments globally. By delving into historical examples, the project contributes to discussions on urban growth, infrastructure development, and disaster management. Project Components: Understanding of Crises: Study the origins, causes, and implications of crises to shed light on how societies respond to challenges. Human Responses to Crises: Explore political, social, and cultural reactions to crises. Investigate the role of urban communities, state-civil society dynamics, and transnational solidarity. Representations of Crises: Examine how crises are portrayed in art, literature, and media, contributing to collective memory and shaping perceptions. Knowledge Exchange: By engaging with the history of urban crises, the project bridges the gap between social science concepts developed since the Cold War and current interdisciplinary debates. It aims to foster critical thinking about crisis management practices. Sociology of Calamity: The project aligns with the sociology of calamity, investigating urban crises within a rapidly urbanizing Europe. It seeks to uncover the role of urbanism and humanitarianism in shaping responses to these challenges. In sum, this project aims to illuminate historical patterns of urban resilience during the early 20th century, offering insights into the intersection of urbanization and crises. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach and localized analysis, it contributes to ongoing discussions on urban resilience and recovery strategies in the face of contemporary challenges

Kamil Ruszała

• Organisation: Jagiellonian University, Institute of History
• Position: Assistant Prof. in Modern History
• E-mail: kamil.ruszala@uj.edu.pl