Jakarta (an urban studies theory)

 

 

Jalan Thamrin, Jakarta

 

Perhaps someone has thought of this before. If that is so then I can say the idea holds true.

My very direct experience of Jakarta and my mental processing of that experience in the last two weeks have led me to conclude that there are six broad categories through which the modern urban setting can be considered. They may be considered in their literal sense as well in their metaphorical sense. These categories transcend economic status and gender. They are:

Buying
Selling
Consuming
Sleeping
Sex
Death

Urban activities fall into one, several, or all of these categories at any given time. These categories apply in all global urban settings.

Jakarta, being the city it is, displays these categories in some very robust ways.