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Research & Publications

Since 2015 the PSUG programme has produced a number of research outputs and publications in terms of its overall research focus.

Special Issue of The Journal of Development Studies on Informal Practices of the State in Urban Governance: Views from Southern African Cities

In May 2018 a special issue of The Journal of Development Studies on "Informal Practices of the State in Urban Governance: Views from Southern African Cities", edited by Prof Claire Bénit-Gbaffou and Prof Sarah Charlton, was published. The articles in the special issue were inspired by a reading group on informality and practices of city making held in 2013, structured around the writings of Ananya Roy. Find the articles in the special section below:

Other Journal Articles

Postgraduate Research Reports

Since 2015 a number of research projects have being undertaken by PhD, Masters and Honours students in the PSUG programme:

Conference Presentations

Since 2015 PSUG members have presented their ongoing research at local and international conferences: 

  • Darlington Mushongera (2017) 'The role of data and knowledge in urban governance: Managing water service delivery in the City of Johannesburg', presentation at the RC21 Rethinking Global Urban Justice Conference (Leeds, 11-13 September 2017).
  • Claire Bénit-Gbaffou (2017) 'Exploring informal practices of the State - how the City of Johannesburg has constructed the “ungovernability” of street trading', presentation at the 7th European Conference on African Studies ECAS (University of Basel, 29 June-1 July 2017).
  • Claire Bénit-Gbaffou (2017) 'Co-producer users of the public space, between neoliberalization and local democracy:  The case of Johannesburg urban parks', presentation at the LAVUE International Colloquium on Urban Contradictions (Paris, 28 March 2017).
  • Boitumelo Matlala (2016) 'Mediation in Urban Governance: Examining the role of civil society in facilitating the participation of marginalised groups', presentation at the SIID 7th Annual Postgraduate Conference (Sheffield, 7-8 April 2016).
  • Mamokete Matjomane (2016) 'A virtuous cycle? The circulation of street vending policy in India, between Ahmedabad and the nation', presentation at the SIID 7th Annual Postgraduate Conference (Sheffield, 7-8 April 2016).
  • Kate Tissington (2016) '“All you lawyers are the same”: Judicialization and brokerage as obstacles to solution-finding around inner city evictions in Johannesburg, South Africa', presentation at the SIID 7th Annual Postgraduate Conference (Sheffield, 7-8 April 2016).
  • Darlington Mushongera (2016) 'Knowledge generation at the local state level: bureaucratic experiences in the City of Johannesburg', presentation at the SIID 7th Annual Postgraduate Conference (Sheffield, 7-8 April 2016).
  • Nqobile Malaza (2016) 'Transforming the City through Economic Empowerment: The complex trajectories of Jozi@work and Inner City Property Scheme in Johannesburg City vision', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Mbula Khwashaba (2016) 'Street Trade Block Leaders and the Governance of Street Trading in Inner City Johannesburg', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016). 
  • Mamokete Matjomane (2016) 'A Virtuous Cycle? The circulation of street vending policy in India, between Ahmedabad
    and the nation', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Claire Bénit-Gbaffou 'It Takes Two to Tango: Transforming the management of parks in Johannesburg, between neoliberalising governance and participatory democracy', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Jeanne Bouyat (2016) 'Accommodating Ethno-national Diversity and Addressing Discriminations at School: How urban settings inform teaching and administrative practices', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Rodolphe Demeestère (2016) 'We Are the Only Ones Who Can Say: "This can continue, that has to be stopped"- The contested street-level regulation of the spatial economy in a Western Cape township', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Kate Tissington '"All you lawyers are the same”: Exploring judicialization, brokerage and privatisation in relation to evictions litigation in Johannesburg', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
  • Darlington Mushongera (2016) 'Contracting-Out of Water Services: Bureaucratic experiences in the City of Johannesburg and Mogale City municipalities', presentation at the Southern African Cities Studies Conference (Durban, 17-19 March 2016).
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