Degrowth in Urban Planning: The Global South's Call for Minimalism, Civic Engagement, and Sustainable Infrastructure? Let's Explore this Dream
In a world teetering on the brink of ecological collapse and widening inequality, cities—these complex tapestries of human endeavour—must become our laboratories for change. The concept of degrowth, elegantly put forth by Jason Hickel in "Less is More," suggests a way forward. It is more than an economic model; it's a philosophical canvas to reimagine our urban futures.
Book of the week - Less is More by Jason Hickel
Unpacking Degrowth: Not Just an Economic Theory
What Is It?
Degrowth isn't merely an economic contraction but a paradigm shift. In the urban context, it questions the metric of 'growth' as the yardstick for prosperity. Instead, it advocates for transitioning to resilient and regenerative urban ecosystems that enrich community well-being and environmental sustainability.
Famously known for its rooftop attractions, Valletta, the capital of Malta, utilises adaptive reuse of heritage structure to limit the environmental costs of new construction.
Photo by Jaanus Jagomägi
Degrowth's Pillars in Urban Contexts: More Than Just Carbon Footprint
Digging Deeper:
The principles of degrowth champion a holistic perspective encompassing social, economic, and environmental aspects. It is the antithesis of isolated planning, instead fostering spatial justice by reallocating resources to create inclusive, diverse, and green urban spaces.
Reachability to Public Services in Amman, Jordan. The Heat Map shows the disparities in service distribution across the city, where areas in red have high reachability on foot compared to blue and grey areas.
Source: Institutional Performance and Covid Repsone Report 2020-Greater Amman Municipality
Cities Championing Degrowth: Southern Responses to Global Challenges
Spotlight On:
🔍 Quito, Ecuador: By integrating degrowth principles into its urban planning, Quito emphasises sustainable public transport, green corridors, and community spaces. These initiatives have collectively reduced the city's ecological footprint.
Photo by Kiyoshi
🔍 Dhaka, Bangladesh: With a focus on community-led, small-scale flood resilience projects instead of grandiose, corporate-driven developments, Dhaka embodies degrowth principles in urban resilience.
Dhaka, Bangladesh Photo By Practical Action
Barriers to Implementing Degrowth in Cities: The Power Dynamics
The Hurdles:
Global imbalances in economic and political power serve as significant obstacles. For instance, skewed voting power in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Trade Organization (WTO) can trap the Global South in a cycle of debt and dependency, undermining local efforts to implement degrowth strategies.
From Policy to Practice: Your Role in Pioneering Change
Empowerment in Action:
As urban planners, policymakers, and researchers, our responsibilities transcend drawing board ideologies. We hold the blueprint for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable Global South. We can employ progressive monetary, fiscal, and industrial policies centred on social objectives rather than mere economic gain to activate this blueprint.
Conclusion
The mantra "less is more" isn't just a pithy catchphrase; it's a call to arms for a new era of urban planning, emphasising quality over quantity, community over isolation, and sustainability over exploitation. As climate crises loom and social fissures widen, tomorrow's cities can—and must—be the crucibles for transformative change. Degrowth provides a viable, urgently needed framework for this transformation.