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SUMMARY:Research Group: 'Governing the slums: Lessons from Kenya and Rwand
 a' - Thomas H. Stubbs (Department of Sociology)\; Discussant: Dr. Graham D
 enyer Willis
DTSTART:20160606T120000Z
DTEND:20160606T130000Z
UID:TALK60643@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Babak Mohammadzadeh
DESCRIPTION:Over the past two decades\, Kenya and Rwanda have experienced 
 some of the highest rates of urban population growth in the world\, a tren
 d that has been accompanied by the rapid proliferation of slums. While Ken
 ya’s dysfunctional urbanism typifies that of the region\, Rwanda has eme
 rged as an internationally revered ‘model case’ for aspirant states in
  sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on findings from 70 semi-structured interview
 s with key stakeholders in Kigali and Nairobi\, this paper argues that the
  urban governance framework—itself constrained by colonial legacy effect
 s—explains the sharply diverging trajectories in recent slum performance
  of the two countries. In Kenya\, institutional arrangements established d
 uring colonial times cultivated post-colonial patron-client networks and r
 ent-seeking opportunities in the slums\, creating perverse incentives for 
 governing elites to maintain the status quo. In Rwanda\, however\, the gen
 ocide against the Tutsi acted as a critical juncture severing the institut
 ional trajectory and—in its stead—new institutions formed\, including 
 a progressive urban governance portfolio instrumental to the containment o
 f slums. In highlighting the mediating role of state governance in the con
 tainment of slums\, this paper challenges the prevailing wisdom that had e
 rstwhile based explanations of slum proliferation on a narrowly conceived 
 economistic-cum-demographic determinism.\n\nThe University of Cambridge Ce
 ntre of Governance and Human Rights Research Group is a forum for graduate
  students and early-career researchers from any department and disciplinar
 y background researching issues of governance and human rights in the glob
 al\, regional\, and national contexts. This is an excellent opportunity to
  receive cross-disciplinary feedback\, to produce a published CGHR Working
  Paper with editorial help\, and to meet and network with student and acad
 emic researchers.\n\nThe CGHR Research Group meets every first Monday of t
 he month from 1 to 2pm in the Alison Richard Building\, Department of Poli
 tics and International Studies (7 West Road). Participants may bring their
  lunch\, and tea and coffee will be provided after the seminar.\n\nThe aim
  is to facilitate an exchange between younger and more established researc
 hers\, offering a forum for the development of new and innovative ideas\, 
 constructive criticism and stimulating debate. Each month\, one paper will
  be presented\, and detailed feedback will be provided by a discussant (an
  established researcher\, to be arranged by the Convenor) before opening u
 p for a wider exchange. Presenters will be encouraged to incorporate feedb
 ack into a revised document\, for possible publication as a CGHR Working P
 aper.\n\nCall for Papers\n\nWe are looking to confirm presenters for comin
 g terms. To present a paper or for more information on the research group\
 , please contact the convenor\, Babak Mohammadzadeh\, bm487@cam.ac.uk\n\nM
 ore about the CGHR Research Group: http://www.cghr.polis.cam.ac.uk/events/
 research_group
LOCATION:Room 138\, Alison Richard Building\, Sidgwick Site\, 7 West Rd\, 
 CB3 9DT
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