[Upcoming Seminar] Migration and Development in Africa’s Urban Spaces

Title: Migration and Development in Africa’s Urban Spaces
Speaker: Oliver BAKEWELL (Associate Professor and Senior Research Officer, International Migration Institute, University of Oxford)
Date and time: 17 February 2017, 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m.
Venue: Room 115, Humanities Building, New Asia College, CUHK

************************************************************

This paper will look at different aspects of the changing relationship between migration and African cities, highlighting points of comparison and contrast with other regions of the world. Over the last century, rural-urban migration has played a major part in the development and growth of African cities, stimulating many debates about people's changing cultural values and social practices as they move to urban areas. This paper will explore two aspects of migration that have not been much considered. First, there is the role of cities as gateways into global markets, which rely on the mobility of African traders across the globe, most notably to China in recent years. Second, there is the movement across Africa that is creating distinctive 'foreign' populations to be found in cities in every part of the continent. Despite (or perhaps because of) having no policy, 'integration' is taking place and people are becoming part of new societies, contributing to the diversity and dynamism of many African cities. 

Oliver Bakewell is Senior Researcher at the International Migration Institute (IMI) and Associate Professor in the Department of International Development at the University of Oxford. His work focuses on the intersections between migration and mobility and broader processes of development and change, with a particular empirical focus on migration within Africa.

All interested are welcome!