都市研究的省思及其进路——以上海为例

Reflection and Approach on Urban Research——Take Shanghai as an Example

受国际学术界大行其道的"从上到下"研究取向的影响,城市史研究的宏大叙事已不再盛行了,微观叙事乘势而起。在上海城市史研究中,这种"从上到下"的取向表现得尤为突出,研究的题目越来越微观,越来越细碎。这些研究当然各有价值,而且确实也不乏精湛之作,但如何将这一个个点或线的研究勾连起来,绘制出一幅上海的整体地图,是非常大的挑战。如果局部的、细节的或"碎片"研究,无法跟"城市的生命"、城市的内在需要、城市的衍变连接起来,这样的微观叙事就会变成无法串起来的一地散碎,它的意义就不免要大打折扣。

Influenced by the"top-to-bottom"research orientation prevailing in the international academic community,the grand narrative of urban history research is no longer popular,and the micro-narrative has gained momentum.In the study of Shanghai urban history,this"top-down"orientation is particularly prominent,the subject of research is more and more microcosmic and fragmented.Of course,each of these studies has its own value and there is indeed no lack of superb work.However,it is a great challenge how to link up these fragmented studies and draw up an overall map of Shanghai.If local,detailed or"fragmented"research fails to connect with the"city's life",the inner needs of the city,and the evolution of the city,then,such microcosmic narratives will become unconnected fragments,and the significance of the research cannot help but greatly reduced.