Urban Anthropology: The Study of Cultural Change in Mega-Cities

Abstract

This study examined cultural change in mega-cities through a mixed-methods experimental design that integrated quantitative modeling with ethnographic inquiry. Data were collected from three global metropolitan regions—Mumbai, São Paulo, and Lagos—using structured surveys (n = 600), interviews, focus groups, and participant observation. Quantitative findings revealed that migration impacts and digital engagement were the strongest predictors of cultural resilience, while governance participation and informal economic practices also contributed significantly to the Cultural Change Index (CCI). Regression analysis confirmed that higher levels of migration adaptation, digital participation, and socioeconomic equity correlated with greater urban cultural resilience. Longitudinal trends indicated a steady rise in hybrid cultural practices between 2001 and 2020, reflecting adaptation to globalization and technological transformation.

Qualitative results enriched these patterns, showing that residents interpreted belonging through rituals, festivals, and symbolic practices that persist despite structural inequalities. Narratives from diverse neighborhoods emphasized that cultural resilience was rooted in collective solidarity, informal governance, and everyday negotiations of difference. Regional comparisons further revealed that Mumbai’s resilience stemmed from migration-driven adaptation, São Paulo’s from informal governance and cultural activism, and Lagos’s from hybridized economic practices reinforcing solidarity. Collectively, the findings underscore that mega-cities are not culturally homogenized, but rather dynamic spaces of cultural negotiation where global and local forces intersect. The study concludes that urban anthropology provides critical frameworks for understanding cultural change in mega-cities, demonstrating the need for culturally sensitive governance and inclusive urban policies to sustain resilience and equity in rapidly expanding urban contexts.