An increasing awareness of the urbanized reality of our world through experience and the burgeoning field of urban studies provides a critical challenge to those concerned with the development of an urban public theology. A key strand within urban studies is concerned with an 'urbanism of hope' promoting an open participatory understanding of urban politics in community. A performative approach to theology promotes an understanding of the church's engagement in informal urban politics, and the embodiment of a transfigured city. An increasing awareness of the urbanized reality of our world through experience and the burgeoning field of urban studies provides a critical challenge to those concerned with the development of an urban public theology. A key strand within urban studies is concerned with an 'urbanism of hope' promoting an open participatory understanding of urban politics in community. A performative approach to theology promotes an understanding of the church's engagement in informal urban politics, and the embodiment of a transfigured city.