Developing an urban theory for the ‘global south’

Dr. Sabrine Hakam

Pr. Ali Benmakhlouf 

April 17, 2025

UM6P Campus – Benguerir

An urban theory of the ‘global south’ rejects the northern experience of urbanisation as the primary articulation of global urbanism and promotes the development of new paradigms and methodologies for the study of southern urbanism. Emerging theories on southern urbanism destabilise and decentre geographies of knowledge by ‘provincializing’ hegemonic urban theory. Cities across the ‘global south’ are developing in ways that challenge predominant theories and models of urban policy and planning. Therefore, the task we face is to develop a methodological repertoire to better understand the emergence of new place-making politics. To this end, this talk explores how we can a) challenge urban theory by identifying lacunas in analyses of southern urbanism; and ii) elaborate, trial and evaluate a research agenda built around ‘cityness’ to inform an urban theory of the ‘global south.’