Translocality and transformation of urban spaces through internal migration
Convenors: Shaharin Annisa (Department of International Urbanism, University of Stuttgart), Els Keunen (Department of International Urbanism, University of Stuttgart)
Discussant: Eva Dick (Misereor)
Track: Critical Engagements
Keywords: Internal Migration, Translocality, Housing, Livelihoods, Networks
Thursday October 24, 10:15–11:45 & 13:45-15:15, First Floor Seminar Room, John Moffat Building
SESSION 2
TRANSLOCALITY AND TRANSFORMATION OF URBAN SPACES THROUGH INTERNAL MIGRATION
Migration in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) primarily takes place between, to and out of cities within national boundaries. These movements give rise to multidirectional and multifaceted networks that enable the flow of people, resources and activities and result in the transformation of interconnected areas, a process defined as translocality. Translocality emerges both from an ongoing process of livelihood strategy adaptation in response to changes and facilitates the migration choices of others. Translocal networks assist internal migrants in arriving in the city and provide support to gain access to livelihoods in the city. Through their actions, migrants become agents in the (re)production of spaces in cities.
We are interested in understanding dialectics between the city and the migrant in the context of SSA. In what way do internal migrants shape the city and the city shapes the migrant? How do migrants adapt to urban livelihoods? What is the effect of translocal migrants on the physical and social urban environment? To what extent are urban areas adapted to mobile populations in terms of housing, livelihoods, infrastructure, and services?
We welcome contributions interested in themes that include but are not limited to:
- Drivers of internal migration to urban areas
- Processes of internal migrants' arrival and adaptation
- (Re)production of urban space by internal migrants
- Translocality, drivers of translocal social networks, translocal livelihoods, economic translocalisation and their relation to urban areas
- Formal & informal, public & private measures to accommodate (in a broad sense) internal migrants in urban areas
Presentations 10:15–11:45
Living on the Move: Challenges and Opportunities of itinerant migrants shaping Lagos Metropolis
Lagos attracts itinerant migrants who face challenges like unstable jobs, poor access to services like housing, and exploitation. This study explores their struggles and how they cope, aiming to develop policies for their successful integration into the city, benefiting both migrants and Lagos itself.
The translocality of Southern African literary cities
My paper looks at translocality in African literary cities.We should be able to draw connections and parallels between different places and spaces. I read fiction to foreground the position of translocality as a relevant literary epistemology.
Relationship between urban and rural areas in the urban growth of Mbanza-Ngungu
Understanding the meaning of a medium-sized city in sub-Saharan Africa requires a number of shifts in focus, enabling urbanisation to be approached as a generalised phenomenon affecting the urban and rural worlds inseparably. This is shown by an analysis of the structure of Mbanza-ngungu based on its transactions with the rural world.
Multi-localities and multiple networks of translocal migrants of Zambia
Focusing on the adaptive needs of translocal migrants in Zambia who are connected across multiple localites, this paper explores the importance of relational social space, rather than just physical space to fully comprehend the adaptive requirements of translocal migrants.
Presentations 13:45-15:15
Residential mobility and informal settlement creation in the periphery of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area
To explore the role of residential mobility in the expansion of urban space in African cities, I will present a case study of the process of informal settlement creation in the periphery of Greater Kampala, focusing on people's migration experiences and socio-economic situations.
Urban Translocality – Embedding State Housing into People’s Long-term Housing Strategies
Focusing on three state-led housing programmes in Africa, I show how low-income households respond to intra-urban displacement threats by translocal patterns of urban inhabitation. Embedded into inter-generational housing and migration strategies, they fit the unpredictability of African urban life.
Anglophone migrants' access to housing in Douala
Rental housing transactions in Douala mostly take place in an informal setting. Anglophone migrants’ access to rental housing is being facilitated by translocal networks, but large advance rent payments might reduce their residential mobility.
