Short Abstract

This panel explores how informality can constrain and/or allow for forms of grassroots agency that contribute to inclusive urban futures.

Description

Informality is a defining feature of urban life across the Global South. Given its central role in housing, employment, and service provision, informality may substantially shape equitable urban development pathways. But this potential often depends on whether and how grassroots agency can support alternative visions and foster economic, social, and political progress in cities.

We welcome papers exploring urban informality, grassroots agency and inclusive futures in the Global South on topics that include (but are not limited to):

1. Organization and collective action surrounding informal housing, economic activity and/or service provision, including political mobilization relating to informality (in either democratic or authoritarian political systems, particularly tied to electoral and/or clientelistic politics).

2. Evolving relationships and negotiations between state actors, grassroots, and civil society groups seeking to promote alternative approaches to urban informality.

3. Equitable political or policy-related processes, structures, and initiatives, such as co-production and other collaborative measures to include individuals and groups involved in informality.

4. Forms of state and/or private power that pervade informal housing, economic activity, and/or service provision and any opportunities to contest, evade, or take advantage of these.

5. The extent to which grassroots and civil society groups have engaged with multiple axes of exclusion (such as marginalization related to race, gender, disability, and/or migration status) alongside efforts to promote alternative strategies towards informality.

Contributions from a wide range of geographical locations and theoretical and disciplinary backgrounds are welcome. We also encourage contributions by practitioners and efforts to meld theory and practice on urban informality.

This Panel has 3 pending paper proposals.
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