Planning for urban indigenous peoples and ethnic diversity: moving from theory to practice in La Paz and Quito
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Date
2016
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AESOP
Abstract
In the former colonies urban expansion and migration to the city challenged historically established patterns of ethno-spatial segregation. Approximately fourty per cent of the world’s indigenous population already live in cities (UN-Habitat 2010). Current research on urban indigeneity takes two positions: Some studies emphasise that indigenous peoples’ could not improve their living conditions by moving to cities. The evidence provided in this literature suggests that they remain disproportionately poorer than other urban residents and continue being confronted by exclusion and discrimination (del Popolo et al 2007; Hodgson 2011; Li 2000). In addition, urban indigenous peoples are often reported as outlawed from specific indigenous rights-based agendas ratified by international organisations and governments since the 1980s (Speiser 2004; UN-Habitat 2010).
Other scholars – mainly working on cities in the global north – have developed frameworks which emphasise ‘what could be done’ to plan for more inclusive cities in which the interests and demands of indigenous peoples are taken into account (Jojola 2008; Porter 2010; Sandercock 1998). This research highlights that planning – guided by Western understandings of individual/ universal rights – often contradicts indigenous collective/ communitarian worldviews. To depart from dominant planning models and practices which oppress the indigenous ‘other’ these scholars – influenced by theories on communicative action, multiculturalism, or agonistic democracy – argue that planning should emphasise difference instead of erasing it, adapt a decolonial approach, and focus on building consensus between different groups.
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Proceedings of the IV World Planning Schools Congress, July 3-8th, 2016 : Global crisis, planning and challenges to spatial justice in the north and in the south
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