Introduction to the special section: Urban neoliberalism, strategies for urban struggles, and 'the right to the city'

The strategy and demand for the 'right to the city' was first advanced by Henri Lefebvre in the late-1960s. The concept has been used as a slogan by urban movements in various countries since the 2000s, and has also been discussed in left academic literature. This special section of Capital & Class contains interviews on contemporary urban politics and the right to the city by two Marxist urbanists, Neil Smith and Jamie Gough. These are preceded by a brief history by Jamie Gough of the idea and use of the slogan. Neil Smith died in September 2012. Jamie Gough begins this special section with an appreciation of Neil's enormous contribution to Marxist geography.