Advanced Marginality as a comparative research strategy in praxis: The Danish 'Grey Belt' in conversation with the French 'Red Belt'

Building on the revival of the comparative gesture in urban studies, this article explores the analytical and comparative potential of advanced marginality (Wacquant 2008). Empirically the analytical framework of advanced marginality is put in to practice through a decentred comparative design, which employs Wacquant’s original ‘Red Belt’ case as a comparative yardstick for the analysis of four ‘Grey Belt’ neglected Danish housing estates. It is found, that five out of six properties of advanced marginality provides explanatory power for both cases, despite varying outcomes and their varying relations to this analytical framework as a whole. In theorizing back an additional property not outlined by Wacquant is identified. At the same the time, the study demonstrates a number of theoretical, methodological and practical virtues of this framework, when applied as a research strategy in praxis, which pays heed to several of the challenges identified in current discussions on comparative urban studies.