f I Were to Study a City… is a reflective guide for students, educators, researchers and anyone interested in understanding cities through careful observation and thoughtful inquiry. Rather than prescribing a rigid methodology, the essay encourages readers to ask meaningful questions about a city’s geography, ecology, history, neighbourhoods, biodiversity, livelihoods, governance, public spaces and the many visible and invisible connections that make urban life possible.
Inspired by Deep Joshi’s much-loved essay, If I were to Conduct a Village Study…, this companion piece extends the same spirit of curiosity and humility to the urban landscape. It invites readers to walk through cities with attentive eyes, open minds and a willingness to learn from both people and place.