Joshua Long
Southwestern University, Environmental Studies, Faculty Member
- Joshua Long is an interdisciplinary human geographer with research interests in sustainability, urban studies, place-... moreJoshua Long is an interdisciplinary human geographer with research interests in sustainability, urban studies, place-based studies, sustainable food and agriculture, environmental politics, and sustainable tourism. The majority of his research, teaching, and activism is focused on the city of Austin and surrounding areas. Long lives in Georgetown, Texas.edit
The past decade has witnessed an outpouring of scholarship on the neoliberal city. Most of the widely read work on this topic has been theoretical, critical and tends to explore the larger political and economic mechanisms that structure... more
The past decade has witnessed an outpouring of scholarship on the neoliberal city. Most of the widely read work on this topic has been theoretical, critical and tends to explore the larger political and economic mechanisms that structure urban space, foster social injustice and incite activism. However, missing from this body of literature is a recent critical study that examines the role of place theory and place-based resistance to neoliberal globalization in an urban context. This study draws from empirical research in North America to reveal the creative, complex and often contradictory ways some urban communities actualize a local sense of place in reaction to pervasive neoliberal forces. This paper suggests that employing a sense of place perspective may shed light on the ways local activists are prioritizing the local scale in an attempt to negotiate the complex and even contradictory policies evident in the current neoliberal period.
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As the negative impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, many city leaders and policymakers have begun to regard climate action as both a fiscal challenge and strategic economic opportunity. However, addressing the... more
As the negative impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, many city leaders and policymakers have begun to regard climate action as both a fiscal challenge and strategic economic opportunity. However, addressing the increasingly evident threats of climate change in the neoliberal, post-financial-crisis city raises several questions about its equitable implementation. This paper suggests that the prioritization of a specific mode of climate resilient urban development represents a departure from the previous decades' movement toward sustainable urbanism. We refer to this new development paradigm as 'climate urbanism', a policy orientation that (1) promotes cities as the most viable and appropriate sites of climate action and (2) prioritizes efforts to protect the physical and digital infrastructures of urban economies from the hazards associated with climate change. We argue that the potential social justice impacts of climate urbanism have not been fully interrogated. Certainly, cities are appropriate sites for addressing climate change, but in the current neoliberal context, the transition from policy rhetoric to climate action presents a potentially problematic landscape of inequality and injustice. With that in mind, this paper offers a critical lens to evaluate the merits of climate urbanism and to interrogate its potential outcomes.
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This study seeks to assess the role that sustainability concerns currently play in educational travel within higher education. Although sustainability issues and initiatives have become popular on campuses across the globe, little has... more
This study seeks to assess the role that sustainability concerns currently play in educational travel within higher education. Although sustainability issues and initiatives have become popular on campuses across the globe, little has been written specifically about efforts within higher educational travel programs.
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This paper appears online at the University of Texas American Studies scholarly site: End of Austin:
https://endofaustin.com/2016/05/24/hipster-hate-and-the-sabotage-of-real-social-commentary/
https://endofaustin.com/2016/05/24/hipster-hate-and-the-sabotage-of-real-social-commentary/
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Research Interests:
In recent years Austin, Texas has gained popular recognition as a ‘sustainable city’ while experiencing robust economic growth. Austin’s ability to resolve many of the political tensions between development and environmental protection... more
In recent years Austin, Texas has gained popular recognition as a ‘sustainable city’ while experiencing robust economic growth. Austin’s ability to resolve many of the political tensions between development and environmental protection have made it a favored case study for North American policymakers who seek to mimic the ‘Austin model’. However, despite recognized environmental achievements, the popular storyline of Austin’s move toward sustainability overlooks key aspects of sustainable development, including equitable political representation, affordability, displacement of vulnerable populations and other social justice issues. Using While et al.’s ‘sustainability fix’ as a conceptual framework, this paper explores the historical development, ideological construction and strategic implementation of Austin’s sustainability agenda. In doing so, this paper moves beyond a lateral understanding of sustainability rhetoric toward a more nuanced and critical analysis of the selective promotion and implementation of sustainability agendas, as well as the consequences they have for social justice and equity in the ‘sustainable cities’ of the 21st century.
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In the past decade, sustainability and global citizenship have emerged as two of the most prominent themes in contemporary higher education. Literature that specifically merges the two themes has, however, lagged behind. This paper... more
In the past decade, sustainability and global citizenship have emerged as two of the most prominent themes in contemporary higher education. Literature that specifically merges the two themes has, however, lagged behind. This paper integrates the literature from the fields of sustainable tourism and educational travel in order to articulate relevant concepts and to summarize theoretical and empirical approaches for improving the sustainability of educational travel programs. While most of the literature focuses upon carbon-related issues, a more comprehensive assessment and implementation would focus on the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental, and socio-cultural. This paper advocates several practical measures, such as the incorporation of sustainability into program mission statements, the training of travel leaders in all three dimensions of sustainability, and the implementation of sustainability-related assessment measures for educational travel programs. Further, we argue that maintaining critical scholarly engagement with broader theoretical frameworks is necessary to contextualize these practical and empirical approaches, and to reassess the potential benefits and negative impacts associated with educational travel.
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The past decade has witnessed an outpouring of scholarship on the neoliberal city. Most of the widely read work on this topic has been theoretical, critical and tends to explore the larger political and economic mechanisms that structure... more
The past decade has witnessed an outpouring of scholarship on the neoliberal city. Most of the widely read work on this topic has been theoretical, critical and tends to explore the larger political and economic mechanisms that structure urban space, foster social injustice and incite activism. However, missing from this body of literature is a recent critical study that examines the role of place theory and place-based resistance to neoliberal globalization in an urban context. This study draws from empirical research in North America to reveal the creative, complex and often contradictory ways some urban communities actualize a local sense of place in reaction to pervasive neoliberal forces. This paper suggests that employing a sense of place perspective may shed light on the ways local activists are prioritizing the local scale in an attempt to negotiate the complex and even contradictory policies evident in the current neoliberal period.
Research Interests:
Recently, the popular literature on creative industries and the urban creative landscape has been largely dominated by the work of one scholar, Richard Florida. The popularity of Richard Florida’s work has led to a zealous implementation... more
Recently, the popular literature on creative industries and the urban creative landscape has been largely dominated by the work of one scholar, Richard Florida. The popularity of Richard Florida’s work has led to a zealous implementation of his creative class thesis by many city officials, policymakers, and urban planners. Recent studies have investigated the impact of creative city implementation in previously working class and industrial cities, but given Florida’s popularity and influence, it is also necessary to evaluate the sustainability of cities touted as creative success stories by Florida and others. This article examines the case of Austin, Texas, seeking to evaluate Florida’s model city in light of recent empirical research. This research suggests that while Austin has witnessed impressive economic prosperity, the “externalities” or unforeseen challenges associated with creative development are equally evident. Further, this research suggests that previously overlooked socio-cultural challenges (e.g. loss of urban cultural character, sense of detachment, over-commercialization) in Austin threaten to potentially undermine the sustainability of this mode of development.
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Research Interests:
An assumption commonly made in research on exurbanization is that the subdivision of land ownership necessarily creates a socially divisive landscape devoid of shared place perceptions and concerns. This article presents the results of an... more
An assumption commonly made in research on exurbanization is that the subdivision of land ownership necessarily creates a socially divisive landscape devoid of shared place perceptions and concerns. This article presents the results of an ethnography project undertaken in a former Colorado ranching valley that is currently exurbanizing. The study revealed not only the emergence of social networks and groups among new residents, but also the presence of distinct themes in place perception and assessment within these assemblages. In particular, the results indicated that concerns about natural hazards and environmental limitations have motivated new residents to interact with one another.
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Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The border between Mexico and the United States is fastbecoming one of the most dynamic cultural regions in North America. As this region expands and evolves, popular perceptions are continuously challenged by new insights into the... more
The border between Mexico and the United States is fastbecoming one of the most dynamic cultural regions in North America. As this region expands and evolves, popular perceptions are continuously challenged by new insights into the historical and social development of ...