Perspectives in Governance and Global South Urban Crises: The Case of Nairobi

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation in the Global South, combined with political and socio-economic deficiencies, has produced severe societal problems such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and the growth of slums. This paper examines Nairobi, Kenya, as a case study to explore how global political-economic crises and European spatial policies have influenced urban development in Southern contexts. Since the 1950s, urban planning responses have shifted paradigmatically, culminating in the current transition from government to governance. While “good urban governance” is widely promoted as essential, the multiplicity of actors with divergent powers, roles, and interests complicates effective cooperation. Using a multi-level actor analysis informed by Giddens’ structuration theory, the paper analyses the roles and perspectives of low-income housing actors in Nairobi. It highlights the challenges posed by conflicting paradigms and the lack of mutual understanding, while pointing to the need for innovative policies, inclusive governance frameworks, and stronger stakeholder collaboration to address persistent urban crises in the Global South.