The university and the city: Spaces of risk, decolonisation, and civic disruption

This paper responds to a recent EPA Exchanges by Eric Knight, Andrew Jones and Meric Gertler ( Knight et al., 2021 ). It concurs with their argument for the significance of economic geography explaining “local-global” dilemmas facing university in contemporary society. In response, it will propose three additional optics understanding role city. First, as space risk, where neo-liberal is now undertaking various modes financing real estate models, drawing on bond markets finance future growth, soliciting politically risky philanthropic donations, betting student recruitment trends – including high-risk international sector being sufficient fund capital investments buildings facilities. Second, decolonisation, must seek locate campus development within discussions about university's responsibilities systems settler colonialism, racially inflected gentrification. Third, civic disruptor, seen more than just backdrop or context governance, culture, business but also front door city economy which embedded.