1. Theorizing urbanisation with and from global peripheries.

Our philosophical and theoretical engagement works with key concepts in urban studies, in particular, postcolonial urbanism, comparative urbanism and extended urbanization. Grounded in the theories of Henri Lefebvre, we assert that the dialectics of centre and periphery generate an ever-shifting web of urbanization processes, not just globally, but also regionally and locally. We thus aim to build a body of work that troubles entrenched and Eurocentric concepts in urban studies, linking empirical research into urbanization processes with a more global, systemic perspective. Johannesburg is a key site in the production of this theory; we also investigate the formation of centralities and peripheries in comparison with other large urban regions, primarily across Southern and West Africa.

2. Conducting empirical and transdisciplinary research.

Our empirical research is based on a novel, multi-scalar approach to understanding the urban, which connects regional spatial analysis to the micro-scale of ethnographic research. This allows us to work across a wide range of sites and situations. Qualitative and mixed-method empirics highlight the importance of everyday life and lived experiences of space, from how people move throughout urban regions seeking resources and opportunities, to what they expect from and how they engage with the various levels of the state. We also develop original digital tools, such as a smartphone application utilising volunteered geographic information (VGI), to understand spatial practices such as mobility, the use of urban infrastructure, and the everyday mechanics of urban life. We rely on strategic partnerships with local institutions to conduct this transdisciplinary research.

3. Translating research into policy recommendations and design impulses.

We aim to translate our academic work into tangible results with which to imagine more equitable urban futures. Explicit objectives of our previous work have included producing policy reports for local and regional governments, and designing projects in collaboration with NGOs or neighbourhood initiatives. We hope to shift the dial on acceptance of people-led spatial practices and to disrupt the status quo of typical capital-driven urban development processes, proposing radical alternatives for the production of urban environments and the use of space. Finally, we communicate not just through written outputs, but utilising mixed media and actively reach out the public. This includes creating dialogues between urban research, society, and politics that bring global perspectives into local conversations in and about Munich.