Sport, Leisure and Culture in the Postmodern City

Illustrated by an interdisciplinary study of a typical 'postmodern city' in the north of England - Leeds - this title examines how such post-industrial cities have reinvented themselves, commercially, politically and spatially over the years, with a particular focus on sport and leisure. The widespread concept of the 'postmodern city' is frequently linked to the decline of traditional manufacturing industries and a corresponding wane of white working-class culture. In place of these appear flexible working practices, a diversified workforce, and a greater emphasis on consumption, leisure, and tourism. Illustrated by an interdisciplinary study of Leeds, a typical postmodern city, this volume examines how such cities have reinvented themselves - commercially, politically and spatially - over the past two decades. The work addresses issues like cultural policy, city-centre development, sport, leisure and identity, and explores different urban processes in relation to changing configuration of class, gender and ethnicity in the postmodern city.