Borderland urbanism: Infrastructure for fragmented cities (26 November)

November 21, 2019

Tuesday, 26th November 2019, at 17.15 – 18.30
ETH Zurich, UNO B 11, Universitätstrasse 41  

Urban transformations in many countries of the Global South produce fragmented cities. These are characterised by the coexistence of fortified enclaves on the one hand, and informal settlements on the other. Everyday life is often radically different for residents in such areas. For example, the residents of fortified enclaves tend to benefit from formal infrastructure services provided by the state or private businesses. In urban slums, infrastructures, if present, are often off-​grid, makeshift and reliant on the skills and resourcefulness of local communities.

This talk by Deljana Iossifova presents a new research programme on infrastructure for fragmented cities. The international and multidisciplinary research examines urban sanitation transitions in rapidly changing and fragmented/-​ing cities in China, India and Brazil. The approach aims to develop a deeper understanding of infrasystems as complex and evolving socio-​eco-technical entanglements and their potential sustainability outcomes in times of social and ecological crises.

More information about the talk is available here.