Tom Gillespie
@t-a-gillespie.bsky.social
Urban geographer | he/him | views my own, repost ≠ endorsement
Pinned
Tom Gillespie
@t-a-gillespie.bsky.social
· Aug 26
New urban frontiers
The frontier is undergoing a resurgence as a productive spatial trope in urban geographical research. This article provides a critical overview of this “frontier moment” and contextualizes it withi...
www.tandfonline.com
'New urban frontiers'
This essay by me and @clairemercer.bsky.social is the introduction to a forthcoming @urbangeography.bsky.social special issue
We argue that the frontier is a powerful conceptual lens that can generate new insights into the urban
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
This essay by me and @clairemercer.bsky.social is the introduction to a forthcoming @urbangeography.bsky.social special issue
We argue that the frontier is a powerful conceptual lens that can generate new insights into the urban
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Zohran Mamdani’s election victory indicates that housing affordability is emerging as a key political issue in the 21st century
Short piece on the potential of cross-city learning for addressing the global housing challenge
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/cross-city-l...
Short piece on the potential of cross-city learning for addressing the global housing challenge
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/cross-city-l...
Cross-city learning to address the global housing challenge - Global Development Institute Blog
The scale of the global housing challenge may be daunting, but it is also an opportunity to do things differently.
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Zohran Mamdani’s election victory indicates that housing affordability is emerging as a key political issue in the 21st century
Short piece on the potential of cross-city learning for addressing the global housing challenge
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/cross-city-l...
Short piece on the potential of cross-city learning for addressing the global housing challenge
blog.gdi.manchester.ac.uk/cross-city-l...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
This is a banger of an interview, many gems: “I work as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, I work with low income homeowners. What I’ve seen in my work is, it’s not tenant versus homeowner. Really, it is tenant and homeowner versus financial speculator and investment bank portfolio.”
In 2020, a young socialist organizer & AIAC contributor sat down with us, sharing his vision for a world that empowers working people over the rich and powerful.
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Today, that vision has carried him to City Hall.
Congrats, Mayor @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! 🌹 africasacountry.com/2020/01/roti...
Roti and roses
Will Shoki sits down with Ugandan-born rapper and housing advocate Zohran Mamdani about his bid to represent Queens in the New York State Assembly.
africasacountry.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 AM
This is a banger of an interview, many gems: “I work as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, I work with low income homeowners. What I’ve seen in my work is, it’s not tenant versus homeowner. Really, it is tenant and homeowner versus financial speculator and investment bank portfolio.”
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
NEW: The End of the Line: the centrepiece of Saudi Arabia’s Neom gigaproject - a 500m tall, 170km long wall-like building intended ultimately to house 9 million people - can’t get out of the ground, say more than 20 former Neom architects, engineers and senior executives.
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Fascinating background & insight into the real estate politics of the NYC mayoral race: www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/sta...
Stabilization and Speculation | Cea Weaver
Struggles over New York City’s housing policy
www.phenomenalworld.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Fascinating background & insight into the real estate politics of the NYC mayoral race: www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/sta...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
New call for papers: What is the future for global development?
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
November 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
New call for papers: What is the future for global development?
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
The massacres carried out by the RSF in El Fasher, Darfur, with the support of its UAE sponsors, will only stop when the international community acts, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Blood spilled in Sudan can be seen from space. Nobody can feign ignorance about what’s going on | Nesrine Malik
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are massacring civilians.
They're armed by the United Arab Emirates - a key Western ally.
This is yet more genocidal mayhem armed and facilitated by the West.
They're armed by the United Arab Emirates - a key Western ally.
This is yet more genocidal mayhem armed and facilitated by the West.
October 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are massacring civilians.
They're armed by the United Arab Emirates - a key Western ally.
This is yet more genocidal mayhem armed and facilitated by the West.
They're armed by the United Arab Emirates - a key Western ally.
This is yet more genocidal mayhem armed and facilitated by the West.
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
When we said we don't intend to be concerned or disappointed by the Labour Government - we intend to replace them, we meant it.
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Our latest Westminster voting intention (26-27 Oct) has Labour on their lowest figure ever recorded by YouGov, with the Greens on their highest
Reform UK: 27% (+1 from 19-20 Oct)
Labour: 17% (-3)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Greens: 16% (+1)
Lib Dems: 15% (=)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Reform UK: 27% (+1 from 19-20 Oct)
Labour: 17% (-3)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Greens: 16% (+1)
Lib Dems: 15% (=)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
October 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
When we said we don't intend to be concerned or disappointed by the Labour Government - we intend to replace them, we meant it.
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Yougov have Labours lowest poll ever and Greens highest ever.
Keep going everybody.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Looking forward to listening to this. The alter-globalisation movement was very formative for me too.
Has anyone written anything comparing this movement of the 90s-00s to the current global Palestine movement?
Has anyone written anything comparing this movement of the 90s-00s to the current global Palestine movement?
I was first radicalized by anti-corporate globalization movement that defined the US left in the late 90s, reaching its apotheosis w/ Battle in Seattle against WTO. A few weeks ago, I hosted a live Dig w/
@eurtradejustice.bsky.social
in Brussels on the history of global trade justice movement 1/
@eurtradejustice.bsky.social
in Brussels on the history of global trade justice movement 1/
October 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Looking forward to listening to this. The alter-globalisation movement was very formative for me too.
Has anyone written anything comparing this movement of the 90s-00s to the current global Palestine movement?
Has anyone written anything comparing this movement of the 90s-00s to the current global Palestine movement?
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Nice collection of essays on David Harvey at 90, on the Verso site www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/...
Harvey at 90: A Verso Series
Last year, we celebrated Fredric Jameson's ninetieth birthday with a month long series commemorating his impact on literary criticism, critical theory and philosophy. This month, in honour of David H...
www.versobooks.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Nice collection of essays on David Harvey at 90, on the Verso site www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/...
This is an escalating national emergency that requires a mass social housing programme, not more business-as-usual policies seeking to deregulate planning and 'enable' private construction
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
This is an escalating national emergency that requires a mass social housing programme, not more business-as-usual policies seeking to deregulate planning and 'enable' private construction
‘One former insider at the department recalls sustained pressure from No 10 and the Treasury to bin the emphasis on social housing, which was always successfully resisted by Angela Rayner…Until the government’s personnel changed abruptly last month, that is’
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A leaked memo, a Maga-style hat and a trail of broken pledges – it’s Labour’s great housing betrayal | Aditya Chakrabortty
Ignore the bombast: Steve ‘build, baby, build’ Reed’s boast looks likely to end in targets more pathetic than they are now, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
‘One former insider at the department recalls sustained pressure from No 10 and the Treasury to bin the emphasis on social housing, which was always successfully resisted by Angela Rayner…Until the government’s personnel changed abruptly last month, that is’
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Raila Amolo Odinga: kenopalo.substack.com/p/raila-amol...
Raila Amolo Odinga
The man whose political career defined Kenya’s multiparty politics
kenopalo.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Raila Amolo Odinga: kenopalo.substack.com/p/raila-amol...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
If this $53 billion estimate is from February, it’s from before a very large proportion of the most methodical IDF destruction of urban Gazan neighborhoods
October 15, 2025 at 4:03 AM
If this $53 billion estimate is from February, it’s from before a very large proportion of the most methodical IDF destruction of urban Gazan neighborhoods
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
If you don’t see the link between ICE and the IDF, you haven’t been paying attention. We are being asked to accept a world where whole communities are made disposable and marked for disappearance. If we accept that for anyone, no one is safe anywhere.
October 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
If you don’t see the link between ICE and the IDF, you haven’t been paying attention. We are being asked to accept a world where whole communities are made disposable and marked for disappearance. If we accept that for anyone, no one is safe anywhere.
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
📣 New Special Issue 📣 'New Urban Frontiers' co-edited by Tom Gillespie and Claire Mercer collects four original research articles that can be found in Volume 46 issue 8 out now! www.urbangeographyjournal.org/journal/volu...
October 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
📣 New Special Issue 📣 'New Urban Frontiers' co-edited by Tom Gillespie and Claire Mercer collects four original research articles that can be found in Volume 46 issue 8 out now! www.urbangeographyjournal.org/journal/volu...
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
If you've never been to Gaza, you won't appreciate what the yellow line means. Basically Israel now holds most of Gaza's small but important agricultural land. Continued Israeli occupation, which I judge the likely outcome, makes Gaza even more unliveable and more dependent on outside goods.
Gaza Strip: Israeli army has withdrawn to the 'yellow line'
AFP Infographic with map of the Gaza Strip showing the 'yellow line' where the Israeli army has withdrawn its forces as of October 10, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff
AFP Infographic with map of the Gaza Strip showing the 'yellow line' where the Israeli army has withdrawn its forces as of October 10, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff
October 13, 2025 at 8:04 AM
If you've never been to Gaza, you won't appreciate what the yellow line means. Basically Israel now holds most of Gaza's small but important agricultural land. Continued Israeli occupation, which I judge the likely outcome, makes Gaza even more unliveable and more dependent on outside goods.
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
"In Gaza, destruction is rewarded with contracts and the “peace plan” is property development.
Historian @adam_tooze & economist @ClaraEMattei
trace how capitalism profits through ruin: war, austerity, and reconstruction form one system of control. "
youtu.be/0iIEgp1LPpA
Historian @adam_tooze & economist @ClaraEMattei
trace how capitalism profits through ruin: war, austerity, and reconstruction form one system of control. "
youtu.be/0iIEgp1LPpA
Rebuilding Gaza — For Profit | Adam Tooze
YouTube video by FREE – Forum for Real Economic Emancipation
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 5:21 AM
"In Gaza, destruction is rewarded with contracts and the “peace plan” is property development.
Historian @adam_tooze & economist @ClaraEMattei
trace how capitalism profits through ruin: war, austerity, and reconstruction form one system of control. "
youtu.be/0iIEgp1LPpA
Historian @adam_tooze & economist @ClaraEMattei
trace how capitalism profits through ruin: war, austerity, and reconstruction form one system of control. "
youtu.be/0iIEgp1LPpA
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
stellar investigation by 972Mag on IDF's manufactured videos that are reproduced uncritically in media. Truly a propaganda war."These videos are produced in-house by a small animation cell in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, working mainly in After Effects + Blender"
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
NEW: Since October 2023, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit has released dozens of 3D animations illustrating alleged Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian sites
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
The style is now unmistakable: satellite zoom-ins, black & white wireframes, and red-textured houses - a new visual language of war
October 9, 2025 at 3:54 AM
stellar investigation by 972Mag on IDF's manufactured videos that are reproduced uncritically in media. Truly a propaganda war."These videos are produced in-house by a small animation cell in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, working mainly in After Effects + Blender"
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
www.972mag.com/israeli-army...
The World Transformed is in Manchester this weekend and the programme is EPIC
Looking forward to leading an urban financialisation field trip with @invisiblemapper.bsky.social at 11am tomorrow
We will discuss MCR's real estate boom and community resistance
theworldtransformed.org/twt25/
Looking forward to leading an urban financialisation field trip with @invisiblemapper.bsky.social at 11am tomorrow
We will discuss MCR's real estate boom and community resistance
theworldtransformed.org/twt25/
The World Transformed // The World Transformed 2025
theworldtransformed.org
October 9, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The World Transformed is in Manchester this weekend and the programme is EPIC
Looking forward to leading an urban financialisation field trip with @invisiblemapper.bsky.social at 11am tomorrow
We will discuss MCR's real estate boom and community resistance
theworldtransformed.org/twt25/
Looking forward to leading an urban financialisation field trip with @invisiblemapper.bsky.social at 11am tomorrow
We will discuss MCR's real estate boom and community resistance
theworldtransformed.org/twt25/
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Palestinians will feel understandable relief. The West should feel nothing but shame. Gaza has been obliterated. The territory rendered uninhabitable. Tens of thousands murdered in cold blood. The entire population subjected to starvation tactics. And now, colonial subjugation under Trump and Blair
October 9, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Palestinians will feel understandable relief. The West should feel nothing but shame. Gaza has been obliterated. The territory rendered uninhabitable. Tens of thousands murdered in cold blood. The entire population subjected to starvation tactics. And now, colonial subjugation under Trump and Blair
The current establishment campaign to demonise and criminalise anti-genocide protest must be understood in the context of record UK arms exports to Israel
According to new research by Channel 4's FactCheck, Britain sent a record number of military cargo to Israel in June 2025.
Starmer's government can try to hide it all it wants, but we know that Britain is arming Israel's genocide.
ARMS EMBARGO NOW!
Starmer's government can try to hide it all it wants, but we know that Britain is arming Israel's genocide.
ARMS EMBARGO NOW!
October 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The current establishment campaign to demonise and criminalise anti-genocide protest must be understood in the context of record UK arms exports to Israel
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.
2 million rally in Italy for Gaza as general strike halts key services
Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.
bit.ly
October 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.
Reposted by Tom Gillespie
BREAKING: Over a thousand people gather in Trafalgar Square to oppose genocide and the Palestine Action ban.
Police have already started arresting peaceful protestors under the Terrorism Act for silently holding signs which say "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"
Police have already started arresting peaceful protestors under the Terrorism Act for silently holding signs which say "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"
October 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
BREAKING: Over a thousand people gather in Trafalgar Square to oppose genocide and the Palestine Action ban.
Police have already started arresting peaceful protestors under the Terrorism Act for silently holding signs which say "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"
Police have already started arresting peaceful protestors under the Terrorism Act for silently holding signs which say "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"