
Second International Conference on Inclusive Cities
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UKZN hosted the second International Conference on Inclusive Cities with the theme: The Capacity of the State to Achieve Inclusive Cities.
The conference, led by Professor Hope Hangwelani Magidimisha-Chipungu the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Inclusive Cities was held virtually over a three-day period.
Programme Director for Day One and UKZN’s Associate Professor for the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, Professor Lovemore Chipungu, said over 50 nations, distributed over four continents, were represented at the conference. The conference covered topics such as refugees and youth towards inclusion; inclusive cities and built environment; as well as technology and data in promoting inclusivity.
Setting the scene on behalf of Magidimisha-Chipungu, School of Built Environment and Development Studies academic, Chipungu, gave a presentation on Celebrating State Capacity through Women.
According to Magidimisha-Chipungu, ‘state capacity emerges as the ability of the state to formulate and implement social, economic and political goals.’ Her presentation highlighted the challenges faced by women and the significant historic moment of 9 August 1956, when 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against the pass laws, as a historic point to reflect and take action. ‘We celebrate women till today because their voices contribute towards inclusivity,’ said Magidimisha-Chipungu.
In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at UKZN Professor Mosa Moshabela said the SARChI chair for inclusive cities research agenda is in line with the University research strategic plan under African cities of the future. ‘We are committed to the local agenda given some of the current challenges of climate change and other environmental challenges and we are very pleased that one of the objectives of this meeting is to bring together diverse communities to solve some of the complex problems we face.’ He further said the University is in full support of the conference and looking forward to similar engagements in the future.
In his welcome note, Dean and Head of the School of Built Environment and Development Studies (UKZN), Professor Ernest Nene Khalema, said, ‘We hope the engagement, partnership and strategic projects led by the SARChI Chair in Inclusive Cities will yield innovative ways to solve problems as the theme of the conference is an important idea of ethical governance and the state capacity calls us to reflect and act to bring dignity in the lives of our people.’
Professor Trynos Gumbo, from the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, said: ‘The world seems to be busy with ranking, competitiveness and meritocracy driven by the survival of the fittest which leaves others behind resulting in inequality and exclusivity. We need to advocate for practitioners to speak and engage in interventions that cater for those left behind. We all have a duty to play in inclusive cities.’
The keynote address was delivered by different partners each day. Acting eThekwini Municipality City Manager, Mr Thompson Bongumusa Mbhele, highlighted the global perspective in terms of the sustainable development goals which focus on making the cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe and sustainable to all. He said the state needs partnerships from different stakeholders and inclusive cities would only be possible with the involvement of the most marginalised people by creating jobs and growing the economy.
Professor Musibau Jelili, Dean of the School of Environmental Management at Ladoke Akintola University, Nigeria, focused his presentation on the informal economy which accounts for a larger percentage in developing and emerging economies but is not given recognition. ‘Informal urbanism is a process of city formation, expansion and human interaction with the built environment which is less guided by formal institutions, regulations and frameworks. To improve state capacity, there is a need to embrace effective urban development where all state or non-state actors are brought to the equation,’ said Jelili, adding that African urbanism which is informal requires special consideration and tools that may not be anticipated by the orthodoxy of modern planning science based on the study of European and North American cities.
Executive Dean of the University of Venda, Professor Natasha Potgieter; Chief Executive Officer of the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), Mr Martin Lewis; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Mzuzu University, Professor Wapulumuka Mulwafu, gave opening remarks on Day Two. Potgieter spoke of the need to reflect on decolonising the curriculum to ensure inclusiveness and Lewis echoed Chipungu’s sentiment on “state capacity” and that it is the state’s responsibility to appoint qualified and registered personnel for urban and regional planning.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Piotr Loren, from the Department of Urban Design and Regional Planning at Gdansk University of Technology, Poland, and Professor Rajendra Kumar, Director of the School of Architecture and Design at Lovely Professional University followed by a breakaway session.
The last day of the conference focused on expertise forums and engagements, workshops and awards for best presentation and innovative idea.
International Conference in Inclusive Cities partners include UKZN, SARChI Chair of Inclusive cities, National Research Foundation, Journal of Inclusive Cities and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Mzuzu University, University of Venda, The South African Council for Planners, South African Cities Network, as well as the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP).
All sponsors were keen on the collaboration and hope it extends beyond the conference.
Words: Zama Khoza
Photographs: Supplied