Engaging with and measuring informality in the proposed Urban Sustainable Development Goal

Arfvidsson, H., Simon, D., Oloko, M., & Moodley, N. (2017). Engaging with and measuring informality in the proposed Urban Sustainable Development Goal. African Geographical Review, 36(1), 100–114. doi:10.1080/19376812.2015.1130636

Platform
Gothenburg Cape Town Kisumu Global
Publication type
Scientific article (peer-reviewed)
Projects
Pilot Project to Test Potential Targets and Indicators for the Urban Sustainable Development Goal
DOI Title
Engaging with and measuring informality in the proposed Urban Sustainable Development Goal
Journal
African Geographical Review
ISSN/ISBN
1937-6812 2163-2642
DOI
10.1080/19376812.2015.1130636
Author(s)
Helen Arfvidsson David Simon Michael Oloko Nishendra Moodley
Published year
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes Geography, Planning and Development

 

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Abstract

A unique project by Mistra Urban Futures to test the draft targets and indicators of the proposed Urban Sustainable Development Goal (Goal 11) in five diverse cities in Europe, Africa, and Asia revealed numerous complexities and differences in data availability, potential accessibility, and relevance. Deploying the findings from Kisumu and Cape Town, we highlight the particular challenges posed by widespread urban informality. Similar issues apply across the global South. The targets and indicators rely on official/formal data, which are often of questionable reliability and exclude unregulated activities. The particularly problematic conceptualization of the slum/informal settlements indicator is examined in depth, along with indicators on transport and waste management.

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