Comparative analysis of urban livelihoods over 70 years in southern African and BRIC countries

What is it about?

The livelihoods of ordinary working people in cities are influenced by both global and local urban processes. This paper compares and discusses various factors which have affected urban livelihoods in countries in the region of southern Africa and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) since the 1960s. It argues that the concept of path dependence helps to explain some of the differences in development policies and their impacts on people's urban lives and welfare. The timing of key developmental phases, such as the timing of independence in relation to the shift to neoliberal economic ideology, has been a strong influence on what governments could achieve. The BRIC countries have been more able to shape the impact of market forces on their urban populations than southern African countries.

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Why is it important?

Comparative urbanism which is not foregrounded in theories drawn from countries in the Global North is important. Most urban people live in cities of the Global South. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on urbanism in the Global South. It also shows how historical perspectives help to further our understanding of how and why particular sets of urban policies have been possible for some countries, but not for others.

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