INVITATION FOR WORKSHOP ON "SECURITY, URBAN DYNAMICS AND
PRIVATISATION OF SPACE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN CITIES" (CAPE TOWN,
IBADAN, LAGOS, JOHANNESBURG, NAIROBI, MAPUTO, WINDHOEK)

IFAS, April 23rd -25th 2003

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS, a research center in
social sciences), is proud to announce a conference on security,
urban dynamics and privatisation of space in Sub-Saharan African
cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Ibadan, Lagos, Nairobi, Maputo,
Windhoek) from the 23rd to the 25th of April 2003.

This research programme was conceived at IFAS with the partnership of
the French research institutes of Kenya (IFRA Nairobi) and Nigeria
(IFRA Ibadan). Our members include the universities of Ibadan, Lagos,
Maputo, Windhoek, Cape Town, Wits ; universities of Paris-XIII,
Marseille, Reims, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Institut français
d'urbanisme (France) and Institut Universitaire d'études du
développement (Geneva, Switzerland), as well as the Safer Cities
Programme from UN Habitat. The aim is to promote a network of African
research specialists on these issues.

This comparative research programme aims to analyse how urban
societies, in various contexts, build discourses about urban violence
and strategies of protection. The comparison between different cities
is possible through a common research protocol. We create a GIS
(geographic information system), with a statistic and economic
database which shows correlations between socio-economic figures,
privatisation of space (streets, residential, entertainment), crime
levels and property market values. Aside, we have field research and
survey focusing on the perceptions, the biographic space of
individuals (which part of the city is used by the citizens) ;
sustainability, governance and public policies are also part of the
study.

Conference planning

Wednesday, April 23rd, 09h00 - 12h30 :

Impact of violence on urban dynamics : theory and methodology

Presentation of the conference : Philippe Guillaume, IFAS, Philippe
Bocquier, IFRA-Nairobi, Laurent Fourchard, IFRA-Ibadan

A view on the methodology : Nathalie Paralieu, HSRC

Why study urban violence in social sciences : Marianne Morange and
Sophie Didier, University of Paris-XIII

Urban violence and segregation : Delphine Dabrowski-Sangodeyi,
Institu français d'urbanisme

The Safer Cities project : Cecilia Anderson, UN Habitat

Wednesday, April 23rd, 14h30- 17h00

Case studies : Johannesburg

The Johannesburg GIS : Philippe Guillaume, IFAS

Crime and urban violence : Charlotte Boisteau, IUED

Suburbia : new differentiation in space and place, Andre Czegledy, Wits

Privatisation of space and impact on domestic workers : Claire Benit,
University of Marseille

The impact of security on property values : François Jacque,
University of Reims

Case study, Cape Town

A general overview on violence in Cape Town : Myriam
Houssay-Holzschuch, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon

New urban fringes : gating Cape Town : Marianne Morange and Sophie
Didier, University of Paris-XIII

Thursday, April 24th, 9h00-13h00

Case study, Ibadan, Lagos

The Ibadan GIS : Nathalie Paralieu, HSRC and Laurent Fourchard, IFRA

Privatisation of space in Ibadan : Oluseyi O. Fabiyi, University of Ibadan.

The relationship between the police and a yoruba militia group called
OPC : Rufus Akinyele, University of Lagos,

Vigilante groups in Sabon gari of Kano : Rasheed Olaniyi, Centre for
Research and Documentation, Kano

Case study : Nairobi

The Nairobi GIS : Nathalie Paralieu, HSRC and Philippe Bocquier, IFRA

Violence in Nairobi : Samuel Owuor, University of Nairobi

Thursday, April 24th, 14h30-17h00

Case study, Maputo

Urban violence in Maputo, critical review of the data production and
presentation of a mapping : Mario Chumbe and Paulo Lopes Jose,
Universidad Eduardo Mondlane

The emergence of a gated community ; Fanny Letissier, University of Reims

Case study, Windhoek

Urban violence in Windhoek : Elisabeth Peyroux, University of Bayreuth

New perspectives on privatisation : Fritz Becker and Brent Van
Tonder, University of Namibia

Friday, April 25th, 09h00-13h00

Roundtable : conclusion, building thematic and perspectives on an
African network on urban violence and privatisation of space

IFAS is located downtown Johannesburg : 66, Wolhuter Street, Newtown,
Market Theatre Precinct, next to the Jazz Club the "Kippies". Safe
parking.

We welcome any of our African and South African colleagues (scholars
professionals, researchers as well as PhD students) willing to take
part in this debate. Looking forward to seeing you at the French
Institute.

Contacts:

Tel : 011 836 05 61 - Fax : 011 836 58 50
Mail :Dr. Philippe GUILLAUME, research director : [email protected]
Nicolas Péjout, research officer: [email protected]