Environment & Urbanization

World leading environmental and urban studies journal

Urban Growth in Emerging Economies: Lessons from the BRICS

Author(s): 
Gordon McGranahan, George Martine (editors)

Publisher: 
Routledge, London

Pages: 
288

Year: 
2014

While the economic development of the BRICS (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) has already been widely discussed, this book examines its specific urban aspects and compares policies and impacts of urbanization and urban growth and different development trajectories among the five countries. Economic and demographic changes are scrutinized to see how the countries’ vastly different contexts shaped recent developments and also influence future prospects.

Considering the ambivalence of the BRICS’ governments regarding a clear pro-urbanization policy, the book reveals lessons to be learnt from both urbanization as well as anti-urbanization approaches. One major conclusion of the book is that all the BRICS suffered when anti-urbanization policies were in place and that a more positive and proactive stance towards urbanization could lead to more inclusive and successful economic development.

Each chapter focuses on the political economy of one of the BRICS countries and analyzes the vastly different trajectories in their speed and scale of urbanization. The chapter on Brazil emphasizes governance aspects, e.g. regarding land use management and land rights of the urban poor. It also highlights how participatory processes, such as participatory budgeting, are gaining importance. Also, how the demonstrations of 2013 might indicate that urban society is becoming more conscious and active in demanding their right to the city.

China is the country that most strongly embraces urbanization in its economic growth strategy. Building on the competitive advantage of bringing low-cost labour into cities, which are the hubs of commercial enterprises and interests, market-oriented urban planning is actively pursued. Shifting the processes that underlie this strategy onto more socially and environmentally benign pathways requires, among other things, collective engagement of a strong civil society.

Russia urbanized during wars and revolution, which dramatically influenced the way in which the country responded to demographic changes. This chapter presents the case of a state where political and military decisions shaped and continue to shape urban development, but that today focuses mostly on prosperous areas and neglects declining cities.

South Africa’s challenges relating to urbanization after the apartheid era are well known. However, the government still embraces a rather reactionary approach to urbanization and does not take a clear stance on issues such as rural‒urban migration. This leads, among other unintended developments, to an increase in informal settlements on the outskirts of cities. Short-term and sector-specific policies rather than strategic attempts to govern urbanization contribute to the lack of progress in addressing this.

Rapid urbanization in India takes place mostly in large cities and shows a top-heavy urban structure. Aiming for a changed regional development strategy that encourages net migration and has positive effects on livelihoods, especially of the urban poor, means that issues of more inclusive population policies have to be addressed and support for smaller urban centres encouraged.

 

Booknote prepared by Julia Wesely.

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