• teaching
• publications

• <
•  

More than 50% of the world’s population lives in cities and the world continues to become more urban. Urban growth rates are particularly high in countries of the global south (especially in Africa and Asia) and cities in developing countries are fast expanding. This motivated a renewed interest in cities by development practice and theory. Cities are seen as the sites and even engines of economic development but at the same time they face big social and economic challenges including inadequate housing, basic services, employment opportunities, etc.

This course examines different perspectives of urbanization and urban development in the global south and related social and economic problems. It introduces various conceptualizations of the urbanization process and urban development approaches. Furthermore, specific urban development issues, including housing, poverty and underemployment will be discussed. The students will also analyze these issues and reflect on their potential solutions in the case of selected cities.