Elective / Seminar
Critical Perspectives FROM Southern Urbanism
Urban phenomena in many cities of the South have long been planned and analysed through hegemonic theoretical positions that claim global applicability, though are generally more specific to the Global North. They are insufficient to address and explain Southern cities and their situatedness in time and place. Hence, they fail to provide adequate explanations for growing issues of inequality, informality, poverty, and urbanization. By adopting a critical perspective, the course will stimulate a re-thinking of topics related to urbanisation and urban planning policies in the context of cities of the Global South.
The seminar is centred around three blocks focused on a specific topic: 1) Southern Urbanism, 2) Basic services provision and infrastructure, and 3) Displaceability. In the first block, we will discuss whether there is such a thing as ‘Southern Urbanism’ and how it can be understood. The second block explores the systems that keep cities running. We will challenge Northern ideas about and look at Southern ways of providing services, and explore the (historical) North-South relations behind infrastructure (under-)development. In the third block, we zoom in on the concept of displaceability, studying what makes people or groups susceptible to displacement and exclusion and analysing the role of urban governance and urban planning in promoting, sustaining or reducing displaceability.
Within each topic, there will be lecture inputs, literature analysis, practical case studies and discussions. We will be exploring the current discourses on the topics with the aim to critically analyse and deconstruct them towards a rethinking of planning theory from a Southern perspective.
The lectures and tutorials will be conducted in person. Students will work individually and in groups throughout the semester engaging in a critical reflection of academic literature and developing a nuanced position on selected topics. They will engage in research about the selected topics, produce position papers, and study specific case studies and projects. Each group of students will have to present their case studies and moderate the discussion with their peers. The course will be complemented by lectures from experts in the field.
Students will be selected for the seminar on the basis of motivational letters. If you are interested in joining the seminar, please submit a motivation letter (pdf) with max 400 words latest by
8 April, 23:59 CET to els.keunen@si.uni-stuttgart.de.
