African Centre for Cities

#Urban20 WEBINAR | Unlocking Finance for Cities Cities, particularly in developing countries, face significant challenges in financing sustainable urban development, including limited revenue streams and autonomy in channeling their resources, difficulty accessing loans, grants and investments as well as to access international markets, and gaps in governance and financial expertise. This #Urban20 webinar will bring together global experts and policymakers to explore actionable solutions for unlocking finance for cities and ensuring a resilient urban future. WHEN | Wednesday, 09 April TIME | 16H00 - 17H45 SAST Register via MS Teams

From #Sydney to #Nairobi 🎧 ▶️ In today’s Keynote episode of #thednaofcities podcast, we meet the wonderful Dr Wangui Kimari. Wangui is Assistant Director at the American University Nairobi Abroad Program and she is an Honorary Research Associate at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town. Wangui is also a Trustee at the Urban Studies Foundation and a Board Member of the Global Urban History Project. We had a fantastic time learning from Wangui about The DNA of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, and she also told us about her starting points and toolkits for understanding the uniqueness of cities as an urban anthropologist. Thank you, Wangui, for joining us! Listen now on our website (https://lnkd.in/dYM_hK-m), Apple Podcasts (https://lnkd.in/e6Bn2Qtc) or Spotify (https://lnkd.in/eEjD_N2m).

REMINDER | Deadline to apply for DAAD 2026 scholarship is 09 April We have 1 week left until applications for the DAAD South Africa 2026 scholarship close. DAAD are offering five In-Region Scholarships* for students from Sub-Saharan Africa who enrol for the MPhil in Urban Studies – Southern Urbanism programme at the University of Cape Town. Female applicants, refugees with recognised refugee status and candidates from other less privileged regions or groups are especially encouraged to participate in the programme. Download the call for applications: https://lnkd.in/dJCmnysP #scholarships #southernurbanism #urbanstudies

🚀 Apply to host a Microtalk in person at RISE Africa 2025 Urban Action Festival🌍🏙️ Are you driving change in African cities? Do you have an innovative idea, project, or solution that deserves the spotlight? This is your chance! At the RISE Africa 2025 Urban Action Festival (Cape Town, 25-29 May 2025), we’re introducing Microtalks - dynamic, 2-minute, one-slide presentations designed to amplify diverse voices, spark new connections, and showcase transformative urban action across the continent. 🔹Who should apply? Researchers, government officials, entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders, private sector representatives, and anyone passionate about driving bold, collaborative urban action in Africa. 🔹Why participate? ✨ Share your work with a likeminded network of people and organisations ✨ Inspire new collaborations and partnerships ✨ Be part of an action-driven festival focused on bold, scalable solutions Join us in demonstrating the ingenuity, resilience, and action shaping African cities! Microtalk applications close 31 March 2025. 🔗APPLY : https://lnkd.in/dkRmYiww Learn more about Microtalks: https://lnkd.in/dNd6N3md #Microtalks #RISEAfrica2025

ICYMI | Collective Conversations On Science for Society On 8 April, Edgar Pieterse and Geci Karuri-Sebina will tackle the subject of sustainable urbanisation for the African continent at the launch of University of Cape Town's 'Collective Conversations on Science for Society' series. The series seeks to foster a robust dialogue between the academic community, policymakers, industry, civil society and the public on how scientific advancements can contribute to solving unique challenges within society. The talk will be facilitated by broadcaster, Africa Melane. Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot by 31 March. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/d5_5nyJx

Istanbul Innovation Days 2025: Shaping the next generation of public institutions #IID2025 kicks off today in Istanbul! Leaders, thinkers, policymakers, and activists will gather to reimagine the forms, functions, and roles of institutions. Institutions have always played a vital role, but today they are central to addressing global challenges and enabling meaningful transitions. #IID2025 will explore how institutions can adapt to current crises and shape future pathways. ACC Director Edgar Pieterse, is a panelist on day 2, which starts with a challenge for the participants as the tone shifts into “living lab” kind of experimentation as the world unfolds. The conversation with Jessica Seddon and Bridi Rice will reflect on some of the challenges and apparent contradictions around institutional innovation – and offer tangible examples of ways to navigate them. It will set the scene for the second day’s discussion by highlighting some of the opportunities for collective learning across the different thematic areas at IID.

NEW ARTICLE | When Trans met Discipline: scenes from an arranged marriage In this article, Rike Sitas and Heeten Bhagat take on a playful troubling in what they observe as a limitation of the scope of transdisciplinary work. Their provocation starts with an imagined facilitated session – masquerading as couples therapy – between Trans and Discipline. They imagine Trans and Discipline as individual entities that have been put together to attend to a growing sense of incomprehension about academically produced knowledge. This article is part of the Global Social Challenges Journal's special collection. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/dQXkY-u2

HAPPENING TODAY | How does planning ease or entrench urban violence? ACC Director, Edgar Pieterse, will be part of this important conversation that puts reflections on violence at the centre of urban development planning. Alongside the brilliant Kamna Patel and Caroline Moser, Edgar will reflect on 'Violence as Atmosphere '. Questions to be explored include: How do planners enact violence? What is the difference between urban violence and violence in cities? Is addressing violence central to better planning? WHEN | Thurs, 20 March 2025 TIME | 16:30 GMT | 18:30 SAST WHERE | Register on Zoom to join the discussion: https://lnkd.in/gcJ_FiQ8 The seminar series is organised by The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, UCL.

INFO SESSION | DAAD x MPhil Urban Studies Scholarship Are you interested in applying for the DAAD 2026 In-Region scholarship and need more info about the MPhil Southern Urbanism programme offered at University of Cape Town? Join our info session with course convenor, Dr Anna Selmeczi for an overview of the programme structure, teaching approach and entry requirements. There'll be an opportunity to ask questions about the MPhil. WHEN | Thurs, 20 March 2025 TIME | 09:00 GMT | 11:00 SAST WHERE | Register on Zoom https://lnkd.in/dw8AsBCV

WEBINAR | "Transitioning towards a regenerative built environment" Yes: the built environment accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions, 60% of resource use, and 50% of global waste. And yes: with urban population expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, the doubling of building stock could consume 3/4 of the carbon budget required to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement. So, how can we shift toward a regenerative future? Join Bauhaus Earth and project partners for two insightful webinars on "Transitioning Towards a Regenerative Built Environment" this March. 🇿🇦 ”Insights from Cape Town and Beyond” 📅 20 March 2025, 2.30 – 4 pm CET / 3.30 - 5 pm SAST 🎤 Speakers: Dr Gediminas Lesutis (Bauhaus Earth), Johanna Westermann (Independent Researcher/Urban Designer), Noella Nibakuze (MASS Design Group) and Prof Edgar Pieterse (African Centre for Cities) 🎙️ Moderation: Prof. Andrew Boraine 🌍 ”Innovations from Global Cities” A spotlight on global case studies and policy frameworks to inform city-level initiatives worldwide. 📅 26 March 2025, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm CET / 12.30 - 2.00 pm SAST 🎤 Speakers: Dr Dr Gediminas Lesutis (Bauhaus Earth), Johanna Westermann (Independent Researcher/Urban Designer), Erica Udas (ICIMOD), N.N. (TBC) 🎙️Moderation: Prof. Dr. Philipp Misselwitz (Bauhaus Earth) Register here: https://lnkd.in/eGDnuUkC The Changemaker’s Guide is supported by Toni Piëch Foundation #ChangeAgents #Changemakers #ClimateAction #UrbanDevelopment #RegenerativeArchitecture #CircularEconomy #FutureOfConstruction #RealEstate #BauhausEarth #BauhausErde