Politics, systems and domains: A conceptual framework for the African Cities Research Consortium

Kelsall, Tim; Mitlin, Diana; Schindler, Seth; Hickey, Sam

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3944670

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…We consider both disciplines to be enriched by a complex trans-disciplinary engagement -the long-standing normative and reflexive traditions within development studies inform our engagement as urban scholars with disadvantaged individuals and groups, while the contribution of critical theoretical approaches to analysis and practice is 102. Goodfellow (2018); Kelsall et al (2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global development and urban studies: tactics for thinking beyond the North–South binary

Gillespie¹,

Mitlin²

2023

Environment and Urbanization

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Recent calls to shift from an “international” to a “global” development paradigm have sought to challenge global North–South binaries. This has provoked lively debate, with criticisms focusing on two issues: the empirical question of North–South convergence since 1990, and the political-theoretical basis of the proposed paradigm. In response, this paper draws on innovations in postcolonial and comparative urban studies to propose three “tactics” for thinking globally about development: thinking from the South to understand the North; comparing across difference; and exploring transnational flows, circuits and relationships. These tactics demonstrate how it is possible to disrupt geographical binaries while also addressing the two major criticisms of the global development approach. First, they demonstrate that establishing convergence is not a prerequisite to thinking about development across the global North–South distinction. Second, they are informed by critical theoretical approaches that animate a deep commitment to transforming the structural causes of inequalities globally.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global development and urban studies: tactics for thinking beyond the North–South binary

Gillespie¹,

Mitlin²

2023

Environment and Urbanization

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“…SSA's most critical challenges include food and water insecurity, poverty, unemployment and climate change (World Economic Forum, 2019). Fifty percent of people in SSA live in urban areas (Kelsall et al, 2021), and over 43% of this urban population live below the poverty line (Du Toit et al, 2018). Most of these people live in informal spheres and lack access to decent and affordable housing, food and water and other necessities of life (Güneralp et al, 2017).…”

Section: Ecosystem Services and Economic Benefits Providedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review article: Potential of Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Hydro-Meteorological Risks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Enu

Zingraff‐Hamed

Rahman

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Abstract. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region most vulnerable to climate change and related hydro-meteorological risks. These risks are exacerbated in rapidly expanding urban areas due to the loss and degradation of green and blue spaces with their regulating ecosystem services. The potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to mitigate hydro-meteorological risks such as floods is increasingly recognized in Europe. However, its application in urban areas of SSA still needs to be systematically explored to inform and promote its uptake in this region. We conducted a multidisciplinary systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol to establish the general patterns in the literature on NBS and hydro-meteorological risk mitigation in SSA. We searched scientific journal databases, websites of 12 key institutions and 11 NBS databases and identified 45 papers for analysis. We found at least one reported NBS in 71 % of urban areas of SSA across 83 locations. 62 % of the papers were clustered in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria only, while the most studied cities were Dar es Salaam and Kampala. Moreover, 66 NBS practices were identified, most of which (n=44) were for flood mitigation. With only Mozambique (n=2) reporting NBS among the most at-risk countries, we found that NBS are implemented where risks occur but not where they are most severe. Mangrove restoration and wetland restoration, reforestation and urban forests, and agroforestry and conservation agriculture were the most common NBS practices identified for floods, extreme heat and drought mitigation, respectively. Traditional practices that fit the definition of NBS, such as grass strips and stone bunds, and practices more popular in the Global North, such as green roofs and green façades, were also identified. These NBS also provided ecosystem services, including 15 regulatory, 5 provisioning and 4 cultural ecosystem services, while 4 out of every 5 NBS created livelihood opportunities. We conclude that reported uptake of NBS for hydro-meteorological risks in SSA is low. However, there could be more NBS, especially at the local level, that are unreported. Furthermore, NBS can help SSA address major development challenges such as water and food insecurity and unemployment and help the sub-region develop climate-resiliently. We, therefore, recommend that NBS be mainstreamed into urban planning and for knowledge exchange opportunities between SSA and Europe and other regions to be explored to promote uptake.

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Urban political settlements: a new lens for peacemaking in cities

Berutti,

Wennmann

2024

Conflict, Security & Development

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Politics, systems and domains: A conceptual framework for the African Cities Research Consortium

Cited by 5 publications

References 86 publications

Global development and urban studies: tactics for thinking beyond the North–South binary

Global development and urban studies: tactics for thinking beyond the North–South binary

Review article: Potential of Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Hydro-Meteorological Risks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Urban political settlements: a new lens for peacemaking in cities

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