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RGS-IBG 2019 (28th – 30th August 2019, London)

>>> Apologies for cross-posting!

CFP: “Secondary Cities” in the Global South

Sponsored by: Developing Areas Research Group (DARG)

 Convenors: Nina Gribat and Christian Rosen (TU Darmstadt)

In recent years, “secondary cities” have (re-)emerged as a distinct urban category, which is connected to a range of hopes in the context of international development such as decentralisation, economic growth or poverty reduction (Roberts 2014). Based on analyses of urban systems and hierarchies as well as normative concerns for balanced economic and spatial development, secondary cities were (and are largely) constructed as strategic sites for policy intervention and development (Rondinelli 1983 a,b). Conversely, secondary cities are also considered as possible sites for alternative urban futures beyond world and global cities (DeBoeck et al. 2010). Diverse approaches to defining secondary cities have established: from considering absolute numbers of inhabitants, positions or functional relevance in urban systems to gauging them as ideal contexts for economic growth, health, education, politics and culture.

This session seeks to contribute to the debate on global and comparative urbanisms (Robinson and Roy 2016), by: (i) critically examining the various formations and possible contestations of an urban category that is underpinned by different normative and universalising tendencies; and (ii) exploring the actual tensions between decentralisation policies and local autonomy and actual practices and policies in diverse urban contexts beyond metropolises.

Contributions are welcome but not limited to the following topics:

archaeologies and other critical analyses of the secondary city concept: In which contexts has it emerged, how did it change over time, which actors use it and how?
comparative methodologies of examining secondary cities in the Global South: How to deal with the challenges of lacking data, instable governance arrangements and varying geographical and political conditions in different states? Do urban contexts beyond the usual focus on metropolises pose new methodological challenges?
case studies that examine tensions between decentralisation and autonomy
analyses of the conflicts of state-spatial decentralisation processes, which address issues of political stability and resources in secondary cities
examinations of civil society and social movements beyond metropolises or megacities in the Global South
economic development: Which economic growth paths are considered as successful? How do these reflect specific local conditions?
explorations of locally-specific approaches to reduce poverty and inequality, deliver public infrastructure and improve planning processes: How do secondary cities address such issues? What are the similarities and differences between different cities’ approaches?

Please submit an abstract of 250 words to Nina Gribat ([log in to unmask]) and Christian Rosen ([log in to unmask]) by 10th February 2019. If you have any questions do get in touch!

More information on the conference:

De Boeck, Filip, Cassiman, Ann, and Van Wolputte, Steven. (2010). Recentering the City: An Anthropology of Secondary Cities in Africa. In: Karel A (ed.) African Perspectives 2009. The African City: (Re)sourced, University of Pretoria. Department of Architecture; Pretoria (South Africa): 33-41.

Roberts, Brian H. (2014) Managing Systems of Secondary Cities: Policy Responses in International Development, Cities Alliance/UNOPS, Brussels.

Rondinelli, Dennis A. (1983a) Secondary cities in developing countries: policies for diffusing urbanization, Beverly Hills, Sage Publications.

Rondinelli, Dennis A. (1983b) Dynamics of Growth of Secondary Cities in Developing Countries, Geographical Review, Vol. 73, No. 1: 42-57.

Robinson, Jennifer and Roy, Ananya (2016) Debate on Global Urbanisms and the Nature of Urban Theory, IJURR, Vol. 40, No. 1: 181-186.

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Prof. Dr. Nina Gribat

TU Darmstadt
Fachbereich Architektur (FB 15)
Fachgebiet Entwerfen und Städtebau
El-Lissitzky-Strasse 1 (L3I01)
64287 Darmstadt
[log in to unmask]

s u b \ u r b a n . Zeitschrift für kritische stadtforschung
www.zeitschrift-suburban.de

Gerade erschienen / Out now:
Nina Gribat / Philipp Misselwitz / Matthias Görlich (Hg.) (2017) Vergessene Schulen: Architekturlehre zwischen Reform und Revolte um 1968. Leipzig, Spectorbooks.
http://spectorbooks.com/vergessene-schulen