Developing and Sustaining an Urban Mission

Abstract

In North America the term urban university would at times have been considered almost a contradiction in terms. Whereas in Europe there is a long history and a predominance of universities located in cities, in North America, universities were more often founded in small towns and rural areas. They were established as pastoral retreats, as part of a general social hostility towards the city and its corruption. Even where universities were established in large cities they more often than not were walled institutions within which an attempt was made to create a haven from the urban environment. In spite of these traditions and social contexts, however, there are today a number of institutions of higher education that openly embrace an urban image and take pride in the label ‘urban university’. This chapter employs a fairly specific interpretation of the term ‘urban university’, based on the premise that it means much more than simply a university located in a city: it is a university that is very much part of a city and can be understood only in relation to its urban context and milieu. This interpretation of the term is explored by taking the example of Concordia University in Montreal. This chapter first provides an outline of the development of the city, as an essential part of any understanding of Concordia’s urban context, and then gives a brief history and description of the university. This is followed by a discussion of Concordia’s mission, milieu, and built environment, and then a consideration of some of the implications and effects of Concordia’s urban character. A fundamental question addressed is whether, in view of changing circumstances and aspirations, an urban mission can be sustained.