The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Department of Town and Regional Planning (DTRP) in partnership with DUT Library recently hosted a book launch of an empowering book titled “Living the Urban Periphery: Infrastructure, everyday life and economic change in African City-Regions”. The launch was held at BM Patel Library, ML Sultan Campus.
This book is based on the results of a comprehensive comparative study on Ethiopia and South Africa. It investigates African urban peripheries by concentrating on both the logics underlying the transformations of these spaces and the realities of life in these shifting environments.
DUT Library Services Director: Dr Malefetjane Phaladi warmly welcomed the esteemed guests and recognised all the authors and contributors for their efforts in this exciting project.
“I would like to emphasise the fact that in the services that we are producing we must prioritise the public interest, versus commercial publishers’ interest. And we understand, as libraries, we are in the centre in terms of advocating the open free access medium. The launch of this research project linked up perfectly with the ENVISION2030. The fact that this book involves various researchers from universities across the globe, it shows that we are indeed engaged with the productive global citizens who are involved in innovations and solutions in the socio-economic challenges faced by our communities,’’ said Dr Phaladi.
Prof Paula Meth, Professor of Southern Urbanism, Urban Studies and Social Policy, at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, briefly highlighted the introductory chapter as containing the key theoretical ideas of the book, with the following chapters focused on bringing this to life through strong empirical discussion. She also indicated why it was so important to avail the book on open access,
“When we were choosing the publisher, we were very serious about the book being accessed for free because we knew it would not be affordable to access it in the African continent. We were insistent on that because it would not make sense to write about the African continent, but the readers would not have access to read about it,’’ said Prof Meth.
One of the contributing authors, Ms Sibongile Buthelezi from the School of the Built Environment and Development Studies, University KwaZulu-Natal and Dr Jennifer Houghton from the Department of Town Regional Planning (DTRP) reflected one their journey and contributions in the book, which involved collecting data across multiple periphery case study areas in eThekwini Municipality as well as engaging collaboratively with the project team and communities.
Along with the book launch, a special issue of the journal Transformation was launched, with the theme of Public Housing and Social Transformation. Groundwork’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator, Dr Kira Erwin, explored the key issues of housing demand and provision which were addressed in the 112 Special Issue, she stated that at the current rate of housing provision, the housing backlog in the eThekwini Municipality will take more than 90 years to be met.
“We need to know what it means for the state to put a roof over the head of someone and what type of ideologies is government practicing in giving people homes. In other words, providing homes is not just brick and mortar, but it does something to our collective culture and collective belonging. These questions and burning topics should be at the top of the agenda in our research on public housing in our country,’’ said Dr Erwin.
Professor Jeremy Grest, former Transformation editor, also recognised the late Professor Bill Freund who was one of the authors published in the Special Issue for his work and urban politics project contribution. He had started some of this work on housing before he passed way, a collective project where people involved in urban studies had started to collaborate with him. After his death it was decided that this project should continue. This project was inspired by him,’’ said Prof Grest.
Dr Godfrey Musvoto, the DTRP Acting Head of Department (HOD), extended his gratitude to everyone who made the book and the special issue projects successful.
“To the research authors, assistants, staff and everyone, we are grateful. After so much hard work, challenges in trying to secure funding, data collection and so many things it is amazing to see this final product,’’ said Dr Musvuto.
The book and journal launch also had a question-and-answer session opened to the guests to engage with the authors. This session of fruitful discussion was facilitated by Ms Lonna Mabandla, DRTP lecturer, who was also program director for the event.
Pictured: DUT Department of Town and Regional Planning (DTRP) with DUT Library and co-authors at the book launch.
Vukani Langa
