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Shaping the Global South
Decades of massive population growth and rural-to-urban migration have accelerated
urbanization in the Global South and produced cities of unprecedented size and density.
By 2030 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America are projected to
be home to 34 out of the world’s 41 megacities. Developing these “urban fields” and
turning them into livable and sustainable areas of habitation involves complex undertakings
the significance of which extends the borders of individual countries. Deden
Rukmana, editor of The Routledge Handbook of Planning Megacities in the Global
South, describes the challenges that lie ahead and presents innovative urban development
and planning initiatives. He focuses especially on informal spaces, which are the
largest physical feature of cities throughout the Global South.
DEDEN RUKMANA
Photo: Deden Rukmana
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