Expert Event | Big Cities: Sources of and Solutions to New
Insecurities
13 November 2014, 09:00 - 17:00
Second thematic Event of the Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law | Venue: The Hague Institute for Global Justice,
Sophialaan 10, The Hague, The Netherlands | Twitter @SRoLPlatform, #bigcities
The themes of the meeting
Large cities across the developed and developing world act more than ever as globalized magnets for people, investments and
power. Their exceptional, yet ambiguous status is demonstrated by the outstanding importance given to urban economies by
central governments and the international community, as well the fear that is conveyed by the extraordinary concentration of
diverse people in environments exposed to numerous illicit and violent influences. This thematic meeting of the Knowledge
Platform is intended to provide an opportunity to absorb the latest scholarly and policy thinking on the role of cities, above all in
fragile and conflict-affected environments, as well as to discuss possible donor responses to the dangers that these urban centres
can pose.
Given the enormous variety of issues raised by the scale of urban development across the world, the meeting will focus on three
sets of issues.
The first concern is that of insecurity within the city, whether involving organized crime, gang activities or other forms of armed
violence. It will inquire as to what political, social and economic conditions tend to be associated with the emergence of violence
and crime, and how cities can become predisposed towards acting as magnets for the displacement of coercion and illicit
activities from elsewhere. The extreme violence associated with certain Latin American cities, as well as the exposure of urban
areas in Asia and Africa to threats and terrorism from radical armed groups, will both be examined.
A second concern, closely related to the first, is the way many cities are being shaped and controlled on the basis of principles
and methods that tend to emphasis segregation, surveillance, control and heavy-handed policing. While there is little doubt that
cities are exposed to multiple and hybrid threats of crime and organized violence, there remain doubts as to which emerging
doctrines of urban policing and control are appropriate means to deal with these threats, or whether certain approaches may
contribute to the consolidation of violent and illicit networks by reinforcing social marginalization.
Lastly, a third part of the meeting will focus on the means in which urban populations, particularly those at risk of systemic
exclusion, can or should act to enhance their access to political decision-making and curb localized threats to human security.
Particular attention could be paid to ways in which non-state security provision and other forms of community empowerment
can take place, even in conditions that would appear distinctly hostile to these forms of organization. The seminar will also pose
the critical question as to what the international community of donors and civil society can do to mitigate the risks of insecurity
in massive urban environments.
Programme 13 November | Big Cities: Sources of and Solutions to New Insecurities
09.00 – 09.30:
Registration, Tea and
coffee
09:30 - 09:45:
Welcome and
introduction to the
themes of the
seminar
-
Ivan Briscoe, Conflict Research Unit, Clingendael Institute
-
David Connolly, Conflict Prevention Programme,
Understanding
epidemics of urban
crime and violence
(Latin America)
-
Manuel Llorens, Andrés Bello Catholic University, Caracas
-
Chris van der Borgh, Utrecht University
09:45 – 11.00:
11.00 – 11.15:
Tea and coffee
11.15 –
12.30pm:
Hybrid urban
violence: between
politics and crime
(Africa and south
Asia)
The Hague Institute for Global Justice
Discussant: Carolina Frossard, University of Amsterdam
-
Nida Kirmani, Lahore University of Management Sciences
-
Naomi van Stapele, VU University, Amsterdam
Discussant: Yusuf Hassan, MP for the National Alliance, Kenya
12.30 - 13.30:
Lunch
13.30 – 14.45:
The city in the global
context: mobility,
segregation and
technology, and their
relevance for urban
policy in fragile
settings
14.45 – 15.00:
Tea and coffee
15.00 – 16.15:
New policies and
approaches to address
urban insecurity
-
Alberto Vanolo, University of Turin
-
Rivke Jaffe, University of Amsterdam
Discussant: David Connolly, Conflict Prevention Programme, The Hague Institute
-
Yusuf Hassan, MP for the National Alliance, Kenya
-
Adesoji Adeniyi, co-ordinator of the “Megacities” project, the Ramphal Institute
Discussant: Wieger Apperloo, Director Urban Matters, Cordaid
16.15 – 16.45:
Plenary discussion
16.45 – 17.00:
Conclusions
17.00 – 17.30:
Drinks