Einleitung: Städtisches Wissen. Historische Wissensbestände, konkurrierende Wissensproduktionen und räumliche Verankerung

Abstract

This special issue refers to recent research in the history and sociology of knowledge by focusing on the production of local knowledge in order to open up a new window on urban history. It is, however, not concerned with the urban production of scientific know-ledge or the emergence of new ideas and new concepts in arts and sciences, which constitute established fields of research. Rather, the focus is on the importance and the meaning of local knowledge which was produced and could be acted on in the cities themselves. Local urban knowledge turns out to be plural and diverse. Different forms of knowledge, such as practical knowledge, scientific knowledge, everyday knowledge, or empirical knowledge, to mention a few, are struggling for validity and validation. Moreover, local knowledge in various forms has often become political and therefore been subject to political discourse and contest, while at the same time it has become knowledge of action shaping urban practices. This special issue points out that diffe-rent forms of knowledge have been evaluated and legitimized in different ways over the course of time.