How do conflict, climate change, and rural-urban migration shape Somalia’s rapidly growing cities? In an episode of the Global Policy podcast in September 2024, I joined Tom Kirk, along with researchers Jutta Bakonyi and Peter Chonka, to explore these pressing issues. Drawing from their book Precarious Urbanism: Displacement, Belonging, and the Reconstruction of Somali Cities (Bristol University Press, 2023), we discussed how research on the political economy of camp urbanisation can translate into practical solutions for displaced communities.
Our conversation explores the intersection of conflict, climate-induced displacement, and rural-urban migration in shaping Somalia’s rapidly growing cities. We discuss how research on the political economy of camp urbanisation can inform practical policy approaches, particularly for organisations supporting vulnerable populations. A key focus is on how understanding the incentive structures of landowners, camp managers, and local communities can help humanitarian actors design effective interventions—such as shared tenancy schemes—to support marginalised in-migrants and promote sustainable urban development.
Listen to the full podcast below
