成人大片

Capital cities in Africa: power and powerlessness

This talk explores the complicated processes of nation鈥搒tate building through its manifestation in the 鈥渦rban geology鈥� of the city鈥攊ts architecture, iconography, layout, and political use of urban space. Overwhelmed by the challenges resulting from their urbanization, the governments seated in most of these capital cities are in effect both powerful鈥攚ielding power over their populace鈥攁nd powerless, unable to implement their plans and provide for their inhabitants.

Simon Bekker is a visiting Emeritus Professor from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.  He has been Professor of Development Studies at Rhodes University and Director of the Centre for Social and Development Studies at the (then) University of Natal (Durban).  He has held visiting Fellow appointments at Oxford University, the (then) Centre d'脡tude d'Afrique Noire in France, the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study in Uppsala, Sweden and at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. He is (co) author of Governing Cities in Africa: Politics and Policies.  (2013) Capital Cities in Africa: Power and Powerlessness (2014).