Theoretical-Methodological Contribution of Chicago School Urban Ecology Approach to Communication Studies

The Chicago School, founded in 1892, significantly shaped early communication studies, especially until the 1930s, focusing on the city-society relationship, mass communication, and the press. Beyond this, it offered a holistic theoretical and methodological framework based on human and urban ecology, pragmatism, and interaction. Although explored in a few studies, the school’s concepts emphasize the interconnection of culture and communication in urban societies. This study proposes the urban ecology approach as a theoretical tool for understanding the communication-society relationship. The study is based on literature review and historical analysis. It discusses the historical context, research topics, and methodology of the Chicago School, particularly the contributions of Robert Ezra Park and Ernest Watson Burgess through their work on urban ecology and concentric zone theory. The study argues that this perspective provides a comprehensive framework for understanding modernity, urban life, and social interaction, offering valuable insights for communication studies and sociology disciplines.