The UN-HABITAT III conference held in Quito late 2016 enshrined the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) with an exclusively urban focus. SDG 11, as it became known, aims to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable through a range of metrics, indicators, evaluation systems. It also part post-Quito 'New Urban Agenda' that is still taking shape. This paper raises questions around potential for reductionism this new agenda, argues reflexive need be aware types space are...

Smart cities have begun to garner increasing global popularity and political legitimacy in recent years. Driven largely by corporate interests, smart provide highly normative solutions future urban economic crises are now popular the north south alike. Despite a growing critical scholarship on cities, processes politics through which they manifest different locations widely different. Yet, there is dearth of research how an understanding lens power might contribute our contemporary theory,...

Two of the most striking features smart city discourses are centrality technology as a driver transformational change and strange ‘placelessness’ its visual narrative. Whether envisaged in Kenya or Singapore, commercial is represented ‘city box’, seemingly capable solving complex social issues through algorithms technical innovation. Recently robust literature has emerged that critical techno-determinism inherent discussions. This paper expands on this critique by arguing solely focusing...

This paper focuses on the importance of framing and conceiving smart urban initiatives schemes in a highly context-sensitive way, argues that place-based approaches are essential for enhancing social sustainability cities. It does so by highlighting how such perspective is often ignored discourses visions favor generalized socially skewed ways "city" as well citizens who expected to become "smart" benefit from high technologies. These, argues, leave out important nuances spatial interstices...

South African cities are economically and socially fragmented: walled estates flank informal settlements while inner house divergent immigrant communities. The remoteness of townships th...

Planning laws, planning governance systems, and even curricula in Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa were strongly shaped by the colonial history of subcontinent, much this imprint remains today. Yet demands on planners systems have changed dramatically as African cities battle to cope with rapid growth, inequality, informality environmental degradation. This article considers issue changing education region. It documents efforts Association Schools forge a program action necessary new directions...

Abstract In contrast to their use in warfare and surveillance, there is growing interest the potential of “drones for good” deliver societal benefits, example by delivering medical products other essential goods. Yet development commercial delivery has been limited globally restrictive regulation protect airspace safety security. this paper we examine how certain African countries have become testbeds new forms drone infrastructure regulation, driven overlapping interests governments,...

Digitization of land records in Kenya represents a particular moment smart city strategies to enable rationalization and standardization. In many ways, it linear, technology-driven approach, very much informed by the tenets modernization theory. The embedded assumption here, that socio-cultural practices emotional ties around can be eclipsed intended certainty linear rationality represented digitation, is misguided. paper explores two dimensions these tensions. One, literature on Kenya,...

Changes in the composition, distribution and availability of information communication technology (ICT) have taken place past two decades. Digital is now a ubiquitous business requirement, whilst mobile/cellular telephones has ensured on-going connectivity. Little been published on ICT other networked infrastructure developing countries. This paper seeks to address that by examining Durban, South Africa. The spatial new access examined relation urban change city’s policy. It becomes evident...

Spatial planning has evolved from the master tradition into strategic forms in order to accommodate rapid urban change and anticipate environmental pressures. The spatial plan is considered an essential element providing certainty rapidly changing areas while remaining implementation-focused participatory. Debates persist, however, on efficacy of plans, particularly context global South. In South Africa these discussions focus how plans can contribute necessary restructuring. This article...

Insight into the socio-technical dynamics of infrastructure unbundling and impact on urban space is perhaps one most enduring conceptual legacies Splintering Urbanism thesis. Expanding analysis beyond material has enabled a reconsideration socio-material contained therein actors represented. Two decades later, digital disruptive commercial enterprises such as Uber Airbnb have broadened this playing field Silicon Valley enters local realm. This piece reflects extent to which reconfiguration...

The lockdown response taken by many governments in flattening the curve of coronavirus infections has course increased reliance on digital tools to enable work (for those able do so) and social interaction. There are emergent, somewhat contingent, coproductive dynamics at between platforms urban life space with contextual specificities each, no doubt, leading different ICT-informed solutions. In South Africa, state a phased but stronghold approach unfortunate impacts livelihoods food...

The WHO recently praised the South African state's urgent response to Covid-19 crisis. It has promoted ascience-led coupled with financial mechanisms offset economic hardship. decisive approach taken by state, however, contradicts heterogeneity of livelihoods that define functioning its socio-economic fringes. This paper focuses on acommunity-led initiative, connecting neighborhoods through relations care. Focusing this third mode existence gives insight into limited reach and efficacy data...