Research Group Session 2: Frontiers in Comparative Urban Politics Research (Invite Only)

Session Submission Type: Research Group

Abstract

The majority of the world’s population already live in cities, and as the Global South continues to rapidly urbanize, the global urban population will continue to increase by over two billion people in the next three decades. The process of rapid urbanization will have profound social, economic, and ultimately political implications. Across the Global South, many — and sometimes most — of the urban population live in informal settlements, in precarious housing with insecure property rights, and work in low-paying, volatile occupations in the informal economy. In the Global North, as well, urban housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many segments of society, leading to displacement and conflict over space. How will governments respond to increasing pressure over urban resources? And how do these trends shape everyday politics for city-dwellers around the world? Moreover, how can scholars generate timely evidence on these dynamic processes? And how can comparing the implications of urbanization across time and space further an understanding of the politics of cities? This virtual research group follows up on key issues addressed at the APSA Comparative Urban Politics Short Course in 2023.

Sub Unit

• Research Groups / Frontiers in Comparative Urban Politics Research

Participants

• Katrin Hofer ETH Zurich

• Hilary Silver Brown University

• Sophia Wang Yale University

• Gulfem Cevheribucak University of Limerick

• Raam Ravi

Session Organizer

• Jeffrey W. Paller University of San Francisco