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For or Against ‘The Business of Benchmarking’?

Author

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  • James Merricks White
  • Rob Kitchin

Abstract

This short response does two things. First, it argues that urban benchmarks have specific and structural limits not identified in the principal essay in this intervention, which curtail the kinds of constructive and critical work such benchmarks might be expected to perform. ISO 37120 is discussed as an example. Second, it proposes a pluralistic approach to engagement and offers six suggestions for how academics might take urban benchmarks and their makers seriously without becoming fully embedded in their business. These are: ethnography, discourse analysis, self‐reflexive critique, critical urban benchmarking, alternative publication channels and scholarly debate.

Suggested Citation

  • James Merricks White & Rob Kitchin, 2021. "For or Against ‘The Business of Benchmarking’?," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 385-388, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:45:y:2021:i:2:p:385-388
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-2427.12978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erik Swyngedouw, 2009. "The Antinomies of the Postpolitical City: In Search of a Democratic Politics of Environmental Production," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 601-620, September.
    2. Michele Acuto & Daniel Pejic & Jessie Briggs, 2021. "Taking City Rankings Seriously: Engaging with Benchmarking Practices in Global Urbanism," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(2), pages 363-377, March.
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