Challenges for Planning in the Global South

About this programme

The course is offered freestanding and is also part of Human Geography II – course package Globalization and Cities, 30 HECs, and elective in the second semester within the Bachelor's Programme in Human Geography – Society, Environment and Global Processes, 180 HECs, and within, among others, the Bachelor's Programme in Urban and Regional Planning, 180 HECs, the Bachelor's Programme in Geography, 180 HECs, and the Bachelor's Programme in Global Development, 180 HECs. Urban-rural dynamics and the rapid and ongoing urbanization in most countries in the Global South places substantial pressure on urban planning for a sustainable development; socially, culturally, environmentally and economically. Many people live in informal settlements and work within the informal economy leading to challenges for the everyday lives of urban residents and for the official planning systems. Many people live neither discretely urban nor rural lives but move between urban and rural spheres in order to improve their livelihoods. This course will raise, highlight and discuss theoretical perspectives and challenges for sustainable planning in Southern contexts. We will discuss how urban and regional planning in the global South are influenced by development theories such as the largescale modernistic ideas as well as alternative post modernization approaches that, for example, focus on alternative framings of central challenges and solutions including an emphasis on the micro-scale, uneven development, and local practices and forms of knowledge.