Inclusive Cities.

Democratisation, Governance and Informal Spatial Practices in Developing Countries

Many regions around the world are challenged by explosive urbanisation caused as people arrive in cities from both rural areas and other cities looking for better lives. Rapidly urbanising regions are at the same time the locus of national projects of industrialisation and modernisation or development. But the effects of these projects can be problematic at social and environmental levels and development needs to be reformulated in ways that includes sustainability while urbanisation needs to recognise the contribution of and constructively include the people urbanised. The principle of the ‘right to the city’ includes the right to affect and even build the city and to share the benefits of urban life with fellow urban dwellers. Projects in the Inclusive City theme explore issues of urbanisation, citizenship, environmental sustainability and social and economic integration and power under conditions of rapid urban growth and often inadequate governance and institutional arrangements. This theme explores how communities, the built and natural environment and modes of governance can be deployed to promote conditions of livelihood and liveability, solve transportation problems, achieve affordable housing, resolve conflicts over land in terms that recognise the contributions of urban communities and other actors, and do this through sustainable modes of development.

Sao Paulo/Latin America: Graduation students addressing inclusive cities in Sao Paulo are supported by the University of Sao Paulo, the Polis Institute, the Municipality of Sao Paulo (SEHAB, Planning Department), Peabiru (Technical Office for Slum Upgrading of Sao Paulo), URBZ (NGO), POLIS (NGO) and community representatives at the Favela Paraisopolis, as well as other governmental and non-governmental organisations in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo.

Shenzhen/China: Graduation projects addressing inclusive cities in Shenzhen/China focus on the development of urban villages and the floating population (migrants) living in these informal settlements, in the context of rapid urbanisation and migration in China. These projects will all together formulate ‘Shenzhen Scenarios’, which is a platform supported by the International New Town Institute (INTI).

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