Editing Urban sociology (section)

==Criticism==

Many theories in urban sociology have been criticized, most prominently directed toward the ethnocentric approaches taken by many early theorists that lay the groundwork for [[urban studies]] throughout the 20th century. Early theories that sought to frame the city as an adaptable “superorganism” often disregarded the intricate roles of social ties within local communities, suggesting that the urban environment itself rather than the individuals living within it controlled the spread and shape of the city. For impoverished inner-city residents, the role of highway planning policies and other government-spurred initiatives instituted by the planner [[Robert Moses]] and others have been criticized as unsightly and unresponsive to residential needs. The slow development of empirically based urban research reflects the failure of local urban governments to adapt and ease the transition of local residents to the short-lived industrialization of the city.<ref name=Caro>{{Cite Power Broker}}</ref>

Some modern social theorists have also been critical of the apparent shortsightedness that urban sociologists have shown toward the role of culture in the inner city. [[William Julius Wilson]] has criticized theory developed throughout the middle of the twentieth century as relying primarily on the structural roles of institutions, and not how culture itself affects common aspects of inner-city life such as poverty. The distance shown toward this topic, he argues, presents an incomplete picture of inner-city life. The urban sociological theory is viewed as one important aspect of sociology.

The concept of urban sociology as a whole has often been challenged and criticized by sociologists through time. Several different aspects from race, land, resources, etc. have broadened the idea. [[Manuel Castells]] questioned if urban sociology even exists and devoted 40 years' worth of research in order to redefine and reorganize the concept. With the growing population and majority of Americans living in suburbs, Castells believes that most researchers focus their work of urban sociology around cities, neglecting the other major communities of suburbs, towns, and rural areas. He also believes that urban sociologists have overcomplicated the term of urban sociology and should possibly create a more clear and organized explanation for their studies, arguing that a "Sociology of Settlements," would cover most issues around the term.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gans|first=Herbert J.|date=September 2009|title=Some Problems of and Futures for Urban Sociology: Toward a Sociology of Settlements|journal=City & Community|language=en|volume=8|issue=3|pages=211–219|doi=10.1111/j.1540-6040.2009.01286.x|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Urban sociologists focus on a range of concepts such as peri-urban settlements, [[human overpopulation]], and field studies of urban social interaction.  Perry Burnett, who studied at the University of Southern Indiana, researched the idea of [[Urban sprawl]] and city optimization for the human population.  Some sociologists study relationships between urban patterns/policy and social issues like racial discrimination or high-income taxes.