Comics as a Lens for Urban Research? Challenges and Potential of a Representational and Analytical Tool
摘要
This chapter explores the potential of comics as a representational and analytical tool for urban research. It examines how comics’ unique combination of visual and textual elements allows for rich depictions of multisensory urban experiences and the representation of multiple temporalities within city spaces. The essay analyses how comics can effectively illustrate the interplay between structural factors and individual experiences in urban environments, offering a medium that bridges top-down and bottom-up perspectives. It also discusses how the comic format encourages researcher reflexivity, making the process of data construction and interpretation more transparent. The chapter draws on examples from various graphic novels and academic comics to demonstrate these capabilities. While highlighting the potential of comics in urban studies, the chapter also addresses the limitations and challenges of this approach, including issues of accessibility, production costs, and the risk of oversimplification. The conclusion suggests that despite these challenges, comics offer valuable opportunities for enhancing urban research methodologies, providing new ways to engage with and communicate the complexities of city life.