Why Every City Feels the Same Now

Anthropologist Marc Augé coined the term “non-place” to describe the monotonous uniformity of modern international cities.

Cities across the world are beginning to look more alike than different. The erasure of urban spaces’ unique heritage make them into what anthropologist Marc Augé calls a “non-place.” Like an airport or a shopping mall, non-places obscure the “deep, layered and idiosyncratic” elements of a place, dissolving the “history, identity and human relation” that make the place unique. 

In non-places, international brands like McDonald’s, Starbucks and Subway predominate. The architecture, decor and furniture, likewise, lacks any connection to the place’s roots, “stories” or environment. This one-size-fits-all approach breeds a sense of detachment in the humans occupying non-place spaces. 

“Hegemonic architecture” emerges when an occupying power subverts local designs.

Military conflict, occupations and insurgent uprisings are, perhaps, the most obvious risks to local architecture. Palmyra was destroyed by the Islamic State, and Northern Ireland, Bahrain...