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Some of my thoughts while the paper, Environmental Apartheid: Eco-health and rural marginalization in South Africa. This was my first time reading a scientific paper regarding the South African apartheid. I will be doing a lot more as my current plan for the Futures project is related significantly.
Rural marginalization of Black South Africans began as a tool through which to leverage increased power and privilege for the white colonial population, as a tool through which the apartheid could remain steadily within the reins of the oppressors. Yet, the effects it had, the reality it presented, to this day continues the effects of apartheid – even if, legally, it has ceased. Continue reading “8.”→
Bubbles under Culture and Capitalism
Urban Regeneration in the name of Gentrification
In the first semester, for Evaluating SLC, I wrote a paper on ‘bubbles’ under urban sprawl, and connections to racial segregation. Each person lives in a bubble – not perfectly spherical, but long and winding, tracing paths of travel and social activity. These bubbles have, I outlined, different dimensions – bubbles of opportunity for social movement, bubbles of career progression possibilities, bubbles that, through health, extend temporally and set limits on longevity. And all these bubbles could trace their existence to geography/urban setting/the location pin on the map that shows where you were born. Because, more likely than not – at least in the States – where you were born begins to dictate where you will spend the rest of your life. And where you spend the rest of your life shapes how you live it, thanks to the teeming inequalities of both opportunities and outcomes, in the ‘world we live in’.
One of the foundational texts, one could say, in this program, pops up at the beginning of the curriculum. The New Urban Agenda, the mouthpiece of the ever-reliable UN, outlines requirements and makes demands on what makes a real 21st century city sustainable, and therefore equitable. Fair enough.
The handbook outlines its objectives, stating clearly that, given the interdisciplinarity of urban development at large, the recommendations, strategies and concepts covered would “require coordinating various sectors to achieve sustainability and success.” It continues that the NUA intends to leave no one behind, ensuring as ever sustainable urban economies – that are also inclusive – and doesn’t stop there. In fact, the NUA goes on to establish its legitimacy, citing the process and work done extensively that lead to the production of this handbook, actionable in any country-wide, regional, and local context.
If that is so, then this means the handbook can be applied – with some tweaks and modifications – to any geography, any sociopolitical context. The NUA says so. Then why are the systems of cultures not as close to the Eurocentric norm accepted (and propagated*) by the UN not treated with the same level of possibility and dignified language?
Why does it not bear mentioning that some of the different land management systems were a result of UN in position through IMF, remnants of colonial systems, and other vestiges the UN has not raised a finger to help relieve, despite the bodies’ apparent mission of promote equitable opportunities for growth throughout different nations?
Planning for typical urban renewal with strategies that have heretofore been applied to (and not even always worked for) a Western city standard, and now expecting these strategies to be simply transplanted on possibly different climates, and definitely different cultures, which would have shaped city – to some extent – differently, with spaces built for different purposes and functions.
Why does the language dismiss these practices and norms? Why does it not take the perceived difficulties as challenging contexts that the NUA should mold to? Instead, we get this address that seems to sweep these contexts to the side; no note of work on going to understand the intricacies and come up with localized solutions – the way the NUA boasts it can for other places – perhaps even all other places.
If the language in this post has seemed biased so far, or too demanding, let me go further. While the NUA was introduced in Evaluating Sustainable Lands and Cities, this next point comes from a case study presented in another course, Envisioning Sustainable Lands and Cities. One of the case studies covered was on REDD+, a UN program dedicated to positive climate efforts – in developing countries. That premise alone is two-toned; it seems understandable that a developing country would focus and prioritize improving more imminent facets of health, housing, economy and self-reliance issues through education, easily acquired energy, and so forth, as soon as possible. Trying to get there fast might overlook sustainable practice. Having a somewhat ‘global’ task force from the UN would help to keep such efforts aligned with sustainable practice, which, as we all know, has lasting impacts not only locally, but worldwide. But is this what REDD+ truly is? Continue reading “1.”→
