The School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast recently hosted the 22nd N-AERUS (Network Association of European Researchers of Global South) Conference, titled “Thinking Urbanisation from the Ground: Innovations in Governance, Policy, and Placemaking in the Global South,” from 20 to 22 June 2024. The event, led by Dr Urmi Sengupta and Dr Cristian Silva, was a resounding success, marking one of the largest international gatherings on the topic ever held at Queen’s.

The conference commenced with keynote addresses from distinguished speakers, including Professor Geoffrey Payne, Professor Clara Elena Irazabal Zurita, and Professor David Rooney, Dean of Internationalisation at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). Their insights set the stage for a series of thought-provoking discussions on urbanisation challenges and innovations in the Global South.

The World Cities Report (UN-HABITAT, 2022) highlights urbanisation as a global megatrend intertwined with climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and resource scarcity challenges. With approximately 3 million people becoming urban residents each week, these processes exacerbate economic crises, inequality, housing precarity, and social discontent, disproportionately affecting the urban poor. Addressing these complex issues requires innovative governance and policy solutions, a theme central to the N-AERUS conference.

Drawing over 50 participants from 17 countries, the conference brought together a diverse group of representatives from government, academia, civil society, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The attendees engaged in extensive dialogue on various pressing issues, including equitable rights to housing and land, the dynamics of informal settlements, and the developmental challenges posed by rapid urbanisation.

Participants presented their latest research and initiatives to address the multifaceted aspects of urban growth in the Global South. Discussions underscored the need for inclusive governance, effective policy-making, and sustainable placemaking practices to ensure equitable urban development. Emphasis was placed on integrating grassroots activities and bottom-up processes within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda to mitigate the impacts of urbanisation.

The successful hosting of the 22nd N-AERUS Conference at QUB reflects the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges and promoting international cooperation. As the conference concluded, attendees expressed optimism about the future of urban research and policy-making, with many looking forward to continued collaboration and future gatherings.

Dr. Urmi Sengupta

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