Executive Summary
The world we live in is increasingly urbanized; 54% of the world’s population now lives in an urban environment (UN Habitat, 2016). Having developed to respond to crises in rural settings and refugee camps, the humanitarian sector today is unequipped to deal with the realities of urban contexts. Despite organisations adapting their approaches, and developing tools and pilots, fundamental gaps remain. Humanitarians are increasingly recognising the systems and stakeholders which exist in urban areas, but there is no clear, common understanding of what ‘urban systems’ are, or what humanitarians really need to know.
Urban areas come in many shapes and sizes. There is no one set definition, but broadly speaking they contain a high population density, concentration of administrative structures, services and infrastructure, rely on a cash-based economy, have a significant built-up area and a range of livelihood opportunities, experience complex social pressures and have some defined administrative boundaries. Urban areas are by their nature interconnected to one another and to rural environments. Their density, diversity and dynamics pose challenges for those seeking to understand or work within them.
It is important for humanitarians to understand urban contexts, to ensure a response is not disconnected, or lead to negative impacts or exacerbate tensions. Understanding will also mean that crucial information isn’t missed and local actors will not be undermined. Stepping back to understand urban environments is an important first step, which can lead to practical changes to policy and practice. Good contextual analysis is important in all humanitarian responses. However, at the moment urban contexts are particularly misunderstood, and there is a critical need for improvement.
One way to improve understanding the complexity of urban contexts is by using systems thinking. A systems approach focuses on the linkages, interconnections and interrelationships between different parts of a system. The urban system includes economics and livelihoods, politics and governance, society and culture, infrastructure and services, and finally space and settlements. These aspects of the urban context are all interconnected, dynamic and changing.
Looking at urban contexts through a systems approach means:
Recognising that cities are systems;
Getting comfortable with uncertainty and complexity;
Accepting the changing nature and resilience of urban systems;
Understanding urban contexts at different scales;
Taking the whole of the urban system into account, not just the separate pieces;
Acknowledging hierarchies and relationships; and
Focusing on urban spaces without excluding the wider picture
Understanding urban systems also requires that we look at the various stakeholders in an urban environment, including their functions and responsibilities, capacity and vulnerability, power and influence, access, interests and perceptions, and the relationships between different actors.
At the moment, despite several promising initiatives, the sector is failing to understand the urban environment. We are constrained by individual and institutional barriers, as well as the challenging nature of the problem itself.
This paper reflects on the nature of urban contexts, and how they may be conceptualised as systems. In doing so, it advocates the importance of understanding urban contexts and presents an approach which organisations might use to understand urban environments.