Kamete, A. Y. (2020) Neither friend nor enemy: Planning, ambivalence and the invalidation of urban informality in Zimbabwe. Urban Studies, 57(5), pp. 927-943. (doi: 10.1177/0042098018821588)
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Abstract
Planning relies on the strict classification and disposition of things in space. Intended to establish and maintain order, planning’s classifying practices are reinforced by binarisms that revolve around legality/illegality. The article deploys Bauman’s notion of the ‘stranger’ to recast hostility to informality as a symptom of antipathy against strangerhood and ambivalence. Drawing from qualitative research in urban Zimbabwe, I posit that because informality cannot be pigeonholed as either ‘friend’ or ‘enemy’, it instils a sense of unease in planners. I argue that this is a failure of the pursuit of order through binary antagonisms and contend that fixation with binarisms spawns ‘spatial undecidables’ and fuels resentment against informality. I propose that the notion of strangerhood complements and extends the concept of ‘gray spacing’.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Kamete, Professor Amin |
Authors: | Kamete, A. Y. |
College/School: | College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies |
Journal Name: | Urban Studies |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
ISSN: | 0042-0980 |
ISSN (Online): | 1360-063X |
Published Online: | 14 March 2019 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2019 Urban Studies Journal Limited |
First Published: | First published in Urban Studies 57(5): 927-943 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher |
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