Urban Limitrophe Featured on Elite Africa Project's Database!

September 20, 2024

 


I am excited to announce that the Urban Limitrophe podcast is now featured on the Elite Africa Project's database! This is a fantastic opportunity to reach a wider audience and share more African-related content, helping to challenge stereotypes and misinformation about the continent.

About the Elite Africa Project

The Elite Africa Project's mission is to challenge academic and public perceptions of African elites as grasping and self-interested—a framing that perpetuates negative depictions of the continent and its peoples and draws on a simplistic understanding of power and how it is wielded.

Check Out the Elite Africa Project's Resources

I encourage everyone to explore the Elite Africa Project's extensive database, which features a wealth of resources, podcasts, and articles focused on African-related content. This platform is a valuable tool for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of the African continent.

Accessing this information is more important than ever, as it helps counteract the misinformation and stereotypes that often dominate discussions about Africa. By engaging with the content on the Elite Africa Project's database, you can contribute to a more informed and balanced narrative about Africa and its peoples.

Visit the Elite Africa Project

To learn more and access the database, visit: www.eliteafricaproject.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Urban Limitrophe. Together, we can promote a more accurate and positive understanding of Africa and its contributions to urban planning and innovation.


How Escrevivências Challenge Urban Planning Norms: Afro-Brazilian Communities’ Strategies for Reclaiming the Right to the City with Mayara Almeida de Paula

September 16, 2024
How Escrevivências Challenge Urban Planning Norms: Afro-Brazilian Communities’ Strategies for Reclaiming the Right to the City with Mayara Almeida de Paula

What if the true architects of our cities are not the government officials or urban planners, but the communities who live in them? In this episode, we dive deep into a provocative question: When governments fail to provide essential services like water and electricity, and communities step up to fill the gaps, who define the future of urban development?

We journey to Brazil to unravel the story of the 2001 City Statute, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at making cities more equitable. This innovative law, born from decades of activism and aimed at redistributing urban resources, has struggled with implementation challenges. My special guest, Mayara Almeida de Paula, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and an expert in urban planning, will share her insights on how race, gender, and urban policies impact the lives of Black women in Brazil and how these factors either support or restrict their right to the city.

Key insights from the episode include:

  • Approaches to reparative planning in diverse contexts
  • Technologies of resistance and healing used by Black communities, particularly Black women, in response to state neglect
  • Incorporating escrevivências (counter-narratives) into urban research and practice
  • Key insights from Mayara's award-winning bachelor's thesis and documentary
  • The enshrinement of the "Right to the City" in Brazil's national legislation through the 2001 City Statute
  • Recommendations of other theorists to enrich city-building research, practice, and policy-making
  • And much more!

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You can listen to the podcast on Spotify Podchaser | Stitcher | Amazon Music | RSS | Apple Podcasts 

Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula

Mayara is a Brazilian architect and urbanist who holds a master's degree in architecture and urban planning. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Planning at the University of Toronto and in her research, she explores the interplay between race, gender and urban planning. 

      Timestamps

      • 06:10 | Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about who you are and the work that you do?
      • 11:11 | Could you give us a glimpse into what life is like in the city of Maceió and what inspired you to delve into this topic?
      • 18:43 | Could you elaborate on some key findings from your research and documentary?
      • 26:01 | Can you provide an overview of your master's thesis titled 'Counter-colonialist Writings in Western-World Spatialities of Black Women,' including the technologies of resistance and healing used by the women you researched?
      • 30:59 | Your thesis centers around the practice of “Escrevivências” or ‘counter-narratives’ coined by Conceição Evaristo. What are “Escrevivências” and why is taking a more storytelling-based approach to research, particularly around city-building, urban planning and architecture, important?
      • 34:03 | What advice would you offer to others whether they are researchers or not, interested in adopting similar approaches in their work?
      • 35:43 | Can you share insights from your PhD research regarding the agency of Black communities in city-building? How do Black women and individuals in urban neighbourhoods contribute to shaping the urban landscape, and what strategies do they employ (i.e. psychological and healing techniques)?
      • 44:12 | How do Black women/Black people, in general, resist unjust urban policies and practices, and how can those listening actively participate in creating the ideal city envisioned by the women in your documentary (or their own version of an ideal city)?
      • 47:06 | What are some other key considerations or reparative tools that planners should take into account to ensure that the voices and needs of marginalized communities are central to city planning initiatives?
      • 48:53 | What’s next for you?
      • 50:17 | How can people get in contact with you or learn more about your work or get involved?

      Show Notes

      Acknowledgements

      Sponsorships

      This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. 

      The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca

      To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

      Support
      • Editor + Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
      • Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

      Stay in the loop!

      If you would like to be interviewed, have an interesting idea to share for an episode, or have any feedback on the podcast, please email at hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com or DM on social media!

      If you enjoy the show, please share it with your family, friends, Veterinarian, Video Producer, Vice President ... and leave a review! 

      Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow the podcast on Instagram to stay in the loop for upcoming episodes and opportunities to engage with guests and the show.

      Introducing the Good News Report: Share Your Impactful Projects!

      September 04, 2024

      At Urban Limitrophe, we believe in the power of positive storytelling to reshape narratives and highlight the incredible work happening across Africa and the diaspora. Part of our mission is to counter stigmatization and disrupt harmful narratives by celebrating the ingenuity, creativity, and resilience within our communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our new segment: the Good News Report!

      What is the Good News Report?

      The Good News Report is your opportunity to showcase the amazing projects and initiatives that are making a real difference in community-building and development across Africa and the diaspora. Whether you're tackling climate change, enhancing food security, pioneering innovative urban designs, or driving social change, we want to amplify your efforts and celebrate your successes.

      How to Get Involved

      We want to hear about the incredible work you're doing! Here’s how you can share your projects:

      1. Tag Us on Social Media: Share your projects and pictures with us by tagging #UrbanLimitrophe on social media. Let the world see the impact you're making, and connect with others who are passionate about community development and urbanism.

      2. Email Us Directly: Prefer to share your story via email? No problem! Simply send your projects and pictures to us at hello@urbanlimitrophe.com. We’re eager to learn about your work and explore ways to feature it.

      Why Share?

      By submitting your projects to the Good News Report, you have the chance to:

      • Be Featured in Our Content: Your project could be highlighted in an upcoming podcast episode, Instagram takeover, or newsletter. This is a fantastic way to reach a broader audience and inspire others with your work.
      • Celebrate Your Achievements: We believe in recognizing and celebrating the hard work and dedication that goes into community-building. The Good News Report is our way of shining a spotlight on the positive changes you’re creating.
      • Inspire Others: Sharing your story can motivate and inspire others to take action in their own communities. Your work could be the catalyst for even greater impact across Africa and the diaspora.

      Let’s change the narrative—one good news story at a time! 


      Stay Updated: Subscribe to Our Newsletter

      Want to stay informed about the latest Good News Reports, upcoming events, and opportunities across Africa and the diaspora? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter! As a subscriber, you'll receive:

      • Exclusive Updates: Be the first to know about new episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and featured projects in the Good News Report.
      • Opportunities to Contribute: Learn how you can share your work, ideas, and insights with our growing community.
      • Curated Resources: Access valuable content related to urbanism, community development, and innovation across Africa and the diaspora.

      Don't miss out—subscribe today and be part of a community that’s dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the positive stories within our global community.

      Episode Map

      Welcome!


      Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall. Tune in to catch interviews with various guests!

      More Info

      @urbanlimitrophepodcast