Paper short abstract:

Drawing on the ordinary cities and comparative urban studies approaches, we discuss strategies to consider those for urban research in Africa. By comparatively analysing suburban processes in two cities, we shed a light on the concepts' applicability for empirical research.

Paper long abstract:

Various scholars have advocated for considering postcolonial approaches in urban studies recently. This had led to a prominent discussion on the way cities of the Global South are viewed and how scholars talk and write about them. The ordinary cities concept that came out of it, allows for thinking urban processes across and within cities, regardless of their region, preparing the ground for new approaches for comparative urban studies. Taking this conception of urban development as a starting point, we discuss its application for urban research by means of a comparative analysis applied to two West African planning systems and the suburban processes observed in the agglomerations of Cotonou (Benin) and Ouagadougou (Burkina-Faso). We consider it important to add to the theoretical discussion a methodological aspect that enables an empirical application of the ordinary cities paradigm. We therefore want to discuss some practical approaches for analysis of planning and transformation of land use or readjustment in suburban areas. This offers the possibility not only for a holistic view on these processes but also for the more productive transnational learning.