Abstract
Review
The Routledge Handbook of Planning Megacities in the Global South, edited by Deden Rukmana, aims to provide “rigorous comparative evidence of planning in megacities of the Global South” (Rukmana 2020, 6). The book attempts to do this through contributions from 51 authors comprising a total of 29 chapters covering 27 megacities in the Global South, including cities from Asia, South and Central America, Middle East and Africa. As noted by Rukmana in the introductory chapter, one of the key strengths and contribution of this book is its breadth and diversity, both in terms of geographic coverage and authorship. The 51 contributors come from different stages of scholarly life – from advanced PhD students to experienced scholars. Similarly, contributors to this book come from all over the world including the Global North and the Global South. Alongside professional academics, the book also includes contributions from policy experts and urban practitioners.
The book self-identifies as contributing to the fledgling body of comparative scholarship on urban development and planning in the Global South. At the same time, according to Rukmama, the specific focus on the planning of “megacities” is what differentiates this book from other familial scholarship on urbanization in the Global South (Rukmana 2020, 6). The 29 chapters are grouped into six thematic sections: managing urban growth; the legacy of spatial planning and master plans; transportation and infrastructure challenges and strategies; confronting dualism in housing provision; planning for resilience and democratizing planning processes. Since there are numerous chapters on half a dozen themes – with no overarching connections between sections – it is impractical to summarize “the Book.” While divided by theme, the chapters have structural and stylistic similarities: they follow a more-or-less similar format, including a brief historical sketch of the megacity under focus and its planning regime, discussion of specific problems or issues, and a brief conclusion section. Generally speaking, the tone is critical and most chapters conclude on a pessimistic note, arguing that social and economic inequalities have exacerbated, and planning has played a key role in this. It is a little surprising that a handbook covering issues in urban planning and development in the Global South has very little to say about good outcomes of planning in any of the cities (chapters on Chinese planning acknowledge some successes but even for China, the commentary is predominantly critical of planning and planners).
A particularity of this handbook is that the editorial remarks are brief and there is little by way of book-level takeaways. This is not a criticism of the book per se; the reaction of a particular reader will depend on what they are looking for. Those desiring theoretical exegesis or overarching arguments on the nature of urban planning and development in the Global South are advised to look elsewhere (but even as readers/researchers choose to look elsewhere, this book will be an excellent companion to read alongside other works). All the chapters are written in easy to understand prose and do not use excessive jargon, which will make them well-suited to introductory teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Contributors to this volume predominantly employ qualitative research methods although there are several chapters that employ quantitative-positivist methodologies.
To conclude, one of the key contributions of this book is that it presents wide range of historically-informed snapshots of trends in contemporary planning and development in megacities in the Global South. It is rare to have such a generous helping of comparative empirical knowledge and analysis presented in one single book in an easy to read format. As such, this book offers an opportunity to the reader to reflect on, and develop new research questions in the area of comparative urban development in the Global South. In terms of audience, it is not only students and academics but also all kinds of urban practitioners who will find something or the other of value in this book. The Routledge Handbook of Planning Megacities in the Global South is a welcome addition to the literature on international urban planning and development.